Deadly Charlotte helicopter crash: How do NTSB investigations work?
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WBTV Helicopter Crash
On Nov. 22, 2022, WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash. Read the ongoing coverage from The Charlotte Observer below.
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The investigation into a fatal helicopter crash that shut down part of Interstate 77 on Tuesday will be led by the National Transportation Safety Board, officials confirmed.
The NTSB will work with the Federal Aviation Administration and local agencies that responded to the scene, where WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag died, to determine why the helicopter went down about noon near Tyvola and Nations Ford roads.
And, the agency advises, it will likely be a year or more before answers are revealed.
Here’s what to know about how NTSB investigations work:
What is the NTSB?
The NTSB is the federal agency that investigates “every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant accidents in other modes of transportation.”
“The NTSB determines the probable cause of the accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents,” the agency explains.
How do NTSB investigations work?
NTSB investigations follow a multi-step process, per the agency:
“The initial notification and decision to investigate
On-site fact gathering
Analysis of facts and determination of probable cause
Acceptance of a final report
Advocating for the acceptance of safety recommendations arising from the investigation.”
“This process is not strictly linear, and phases overlap,” the agency adds.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said at a Tuesday press conference CMPD, the State Highway Patrol and Charlotte Fire would maintain the scene of this latest crash until investigators arrived.
Road closures along southbound I-77 related to the investigation may last through Tuesday night, Jennings added.
How long do NTSB investigations take?
How long NTSB investigations take “varies based on the complexity of the investigation and the workload of the agency’s investigators,” the agency says.
“In general, the NTSB tries to complete an investigation within 12 to 24 months, but these and other factors can greatly affect that timing.”
This story was originally published November 22, 2022 at 4:56 PM.
