Pilot Chip Tayag and Jason Myers, a meteorologist at Charlotte TV station WBTV, were on a training flight in Sky3 when the news helicopter fatally crashed along I-77 in Charlotte on Tuesday. 

What You Need To Know 

Total Flight Solutions is a full-service aviation training center 

Chip Tayag and Jason Myers were in an R44 helicopter when they fatally crashed in Charlotte

Al Mattress is the chief helicopter pilot for Total Flight Solutions

The chopper piloted by Tayag was a Robinson R44. This type of helicopter is often used for charter flights, news gatherings, survey work and training, according to Al Mattress, the chief helicopter pilot for Total Flight Solutions, a full-service aviation training center. 

"It's a very versatile helicopter," Mattress said. 

Mattress has been flying Robinson helicopters for 15 years and takes them out daily as part of his job. 

"I logged several thousand hours in the Robinson product," Mattress said. 

Witnesses say Tayag appeared to diverge the chopper away from I-77, avoiding any additional injuries. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the helicopter proceeded to do two 360-degree turns over I-77 before descending rapidly. 

“If there is a problem, we are trained to try and get it to an area where it’s just us involved," Mattress said. 

While Mattress didn't know Tayag, he says it's a devastating loss to the helicopter community. 

"It’s a very small family in helicopters, of course rotor wing aviation especially," Mattress said. 

The NTSB expects to release a preliminary report in two to three weeks. The final report that will reveal the cause of the crash and contributing factors could take anywhere from one to two years before it is completed. 

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is encouraged to contact NTSB by email: witness@ntsb.gov.