'Meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag (pictured) lost their lives. In the statement published by the local news station, Tayag had been a pilot for more than 20 years and 'was known in the company for being one of the best pilots and was constantly studying to make himself a better pilot.'. After nearly 30 years working as a reporter, photojournalist, producer,, I think that he absolutely knew that he was gonna have to put that down, the man said. The NPPA declared that pilot/reporters who appear live on camera in the sky should not do so unless accompanied by a co-pilot or a trained observer on board to help avoid collisions.. Visit our profile page here and hit the follow button above for more of the news you need. "It seemed the pilot that was operating the aircraft made some diversionary moves to avoid hitting traffic," said Jennings. It's currently unclear what caused the ordeal, but many have speculated that the pilot was moving direction before the helicopter ultimately crashed and the pair were found dead. News helicopter crashes are rare these days, partly because there are fewer aircraft in the air than there were in the early 2000s, but also because some high-profile crashes led to newsrooms increasing their safety standards. Before firefighters arrived, two passing Secret Service agents apparently dived into the water in a vain attempt to rescue the two. Myers was a North Carolina native and even 'watched WBTV as a child,' the station said in their statement Tuesday. He was part of the team. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The Senate Education Committee also eliminated a requirement that charter schools and private schools must compete in a higher athletic division. Colleagues said he loved what he did. He loved covering weather and always wanted to learn more so he could be a better meteorologist. For hours after the crash, several lanes of traffic were closed to the public near the exit for Nations Ford Road. The married couple were childhood friends and sweethearts. The 2007 crash also resulted in other news chopper safety precautions, including painting a highly visible stripe pattern on the helicopters rotors so that they may more easily be seen from above and adding bright strobe lights to avoid a collision with other aircraft. Do not sell or share my personal information. Myers grew to personify what a meteorologist should be, said Charlie Tuggle, senior associate dean for undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolinas Hussman School of Journalism and Media. The meteorologist leaves behind a wife, Jillian, and four children. But then on his second pass, I knew that something was not right. Published: 14:47, 7 Jun 2021 JONATHAN Stacey is a transit reporter and meteorologist for WBTV News This Morning. Edited by Liz O. Baylen and Mike Benoist. To me, it looks like a heroic incident where the pilot tried to avoid injuring anyone else and putting anyone else in danger. The NPPA declared that pilot/reporters who appear live on camera in the sky should not do so unless accompanied by a co-pilot or a trained observer on board to help avoid collisions.. It wasnt unusual for Myers to go above and beyond during newscasts. Some stations have turned to drones for the high-wide shots that they used to fly choppers to capture. And many of us have been in that helicopter with Chip.. In 2009, the National Press Photographers Association endorsed recommendations that news helicopter pilots no longer report live while they are flying the helicopter, which was not uncommon at the time. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Please drive cautiously as we still have workers on scene,' officials with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said just before 4.30pm Tuesday. Tayag had been piloting the Sky3 helicopter since 2017 and had more than 20 years of experience as a pilot, WBTV reported. And we feel lucky to be with people that we work so closely with, in such an intense career and to like our co-workers as family. She said, Chip is a long long-time pilot for WBTV, he is actually through a contractor company, but he has been here a long time and he is an experienced pilot. Anyone can read what you share. JONATHAN Stacey is a transit reporter and meteorologist for WBTV News This Morning. 'Jamie and I are learning it here as our newsroom is learning it and trying to figure it out while deeply grieving ,' Grantham said during the broadcast. Both the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash. He was a pilot for more than 20 years. Charlotte Fire said the roadway is shut down at this time. Pate, 30, was in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital where he underwent surgery for internal abdominal bleeding, said administrator Bill Allen. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Traffic - WBTV In 2017, The Indianapolis Business Journal said, The history of news aircraft stretches back to 1940 when. TV Meteorologist and Pilot Die in Helicopter Crash in North Carolina, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/22/us/north-carolina-helicopter-crash-wbtv.html. A helicopter crashed on the side of an interstate highway in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Tuesday, killing two people. We are working to comfort their families in this difficult time. This NC destination ranks among nations favorites, We asked, you decided. Stacey was born in East Alabama and spent most of his childhood years in Middle and East Tennessee. Its going to be a difficult holiday season, CMPD Chief Jennings said. Chief Jennings said witnesses had told the authorities that it had appeared as if the pilot had made diversionary moves to avoid traffic., If that is truly the case, he said during the news conference, which was streamed by WITN-TV, that pilot is a hero in my eyes, to make sure that the safety and security of those that were driving on the road was not in jeopardy.. Yellen warns U.S. could default on debt as early as June 1. Myers and Tayags coworkers spent long, sad hours Tuesday remembering their colleague live on the air, sharing tears with their viewers and pouring out their hearts to the public about two men who made WBTV a better place. Stacey provides traffic reports for WBTV news in the morning and delivers.
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