As the bereaved pursue legal action, the fallout of a tragic occurrence that struck the Charlotte community in 2022 is still being played out. Following a tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of her husband and WBTV meteorologist Jason Meyers, Kerry Tayag, the widow of pilot Christopher “Chip” Tayag, has sued Robinson Helicopter Company Inc., claiming negligence, according to QC News. The complaint, which was filed exactly two years after the fatal incident, claims that Robinson’s aircraft components had known problems that contributed to the tragedy.
The Charlotte Observer reported that the investigation into the fatal crash off Interstate 77 had uncovered a significant detail: the Robinson R44 helicopter’s left control rod end was discovered disconnected. According to the lawsuit alleging wrongful death, this instrumental failure made the helicopter uncontrollable and caused the accident. Robinson is also accused in the case of having known since at least 2003 that crucial fasteners in their helicopters were vulnerable to hydrogen embrittlement, which may have cracked the metals and even caused a catastrophic separation.
To make matters more complicated, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined in May 2024 that the crash was caused by a loose bolt and other incorrectly installed hardware, stating that one spacer had been installed backward, compromising the aircraft for about three years. Additionally, the NTSB’s findings clearly did not meet the standard that the pilot was supposed to perform pre-flight inspection on these components, as described by WCNC. The Tayag case focuses on Robinson’s failure to update their maintenance manuals, specifically with reference to the R44 model operations. The lawsuit argues that this omission was one of the many mistakes that resulted in the unfortunate death of the victim.
Although this most recent attempt at justice is underway, it is not the only lawsuit resulting from the accident. According to WCNC, Jillian Myers, the wife of the late meteorologist Jason Myers, had previously sued Wilson Air Center and other organizations over claims of tainted fuel; however, that case was dropped. Her lawsuit against TTWN Media and parent company iHeartMedia for allegedly failing to properly inspect the helicopter is set to move forward, with a trial set for October 15, 2025.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply