In November 2021, a tragic helicopter crash took the lives of WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag. Now, Jillian Myers, Jason's wife, has filed a lawsuit in Mecklenburg County Superior Court, seeking damages from Wilson Air Center, TTWN Media Networks, and iHeartMedia. The suit accuses these companies of negligence, including providing contaminated fuel that may have contributed to the crash.

Attorneys for the Myers family allege that Wilson Air Center failed to properly test for contaminants in the fuel they supplied for the helicopter, despite reports of fuel contamination affecting aircraft on the East Coast in 2022. The suit also accuses Tayag, the helicopter's mechanic, and their employers, TTWN Media and iHeartMedia of failing to properly inspect the helicopter, as well as Tayag of failing to safely operate the aircraft and perform proper emergency procedures for engine failure.

The Myers family is seeking damages in excess of $25,000, including Jason's net income, along with punitive damages. Witnesses reported that Tayag appeared to make an aggressive move to avoid crashing onto the interstate and did his best to put the helicopter down where it wouldn't injure others.

While aviation officials have not yet determined an official cause for the crash, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has a standard process it typically follows in investigating such incidents. Regardless of the eventual outcome of the investigation, the Myers family's lawsuit highlights the importance of responsible and thorough practices in the aviation industry to prevent such tragedies from occurring.