$126M Settlement in Helicopter Crash That Killed NC Meteorologist
Expert Institute - October 2, 2025
BY ZACH BARRETO
A tragic aviation failure sparks a record-breaking legal battle, exposing systemic safety lapses and setting new standards for industry accountability.
Jason Myers, a 41-year-old meteorologist for Charlotte’s WBTV, died on November 22, 2022, when a helicopter operated by Total Traffic and Weather Network (TTWN) crashed near Interstate 77. Myers was on board the aircraft with pilot Chip Tayag during a simulated news mission when the helicopter suddenly went down and was destroyed on impact. Both men were killed in the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board later reported that the helicopter was not airworthy at the time of the flight. Investigations revealed a defective part had been used in the control system: a nut known to crack and fail, which connected the control rod to the main rotor mast. Despite clear manufacturer warnings advising against the use of this specific part, TTWN had failed to implement the recommended safety upgrade.
The Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In March 2023, Jillian Ann Myers, the widow of Jason Myers and mother to their four children, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in North Carolina Superior Court. The suit named TTWN Media Networks LLC, along with parent companies iHeartCommunications Inc. and iHeartMedia Inc., as defendants.
According to her attorneys at Robb & Robb LLC, the fatal crash resulted from a cascade of maintenance failures. Gary C. Robb, speaking for the family, stated, “Even TTWN’s own witnesses admitted that the helicopter was not airworthy on the date of the crash, and Mr. Myers’s death was both predictable and totally preventable.”
The lawsuit alleged that TTWN’s operational negligence directly caused the mechanical failure that led to the crash. Myers’s legal team cited TTWN’s use of a “defective, known-to-fail nut” as particularly egregious given existing manufacturer guidance.
The Record-Setting Settlement
On September 18, 2025, Judge Forrest D. Bridges approved a final judgment awarding the Myers family $105 million in compensatory damages, plus $21.28 million in prejudgment interest, bringing the total to $126.28 million. Of that amount, $50 million is to be paid within 60 days by TTWN’s primary aviation insurer.
Judge Bridges acknowledged the catastrophic effect of Jason Myers’s death on his surviving family, writing in his order that “the death of Jason Myers has had a profound and immense impact on his wife and the four children he left behind.” He also emphasized the emotional suffering endured in the helicopter’s final moments, citing expert analysis that Jason Myers likely experienced 13 seconds of “uncontrollable panic as well as hopelessness” before impact.
TTWN initially proposed a $50 million settlement, which was rejected by the Myers family. Jillian Myers countered with a $150 million demand. Ultimately, the parties agreed to the $105 million figure—an amount the court described as “extremely reasonable on its face” given the estimated trial value.
Gary C. Robb said the family hopes the case will help drive industry-wide safety improvements, stating that the Myers family “wants to improve safety practices industry wide, so no other lives are lost as a result.”
Insurer Disputes and Coverage Gaps
Despite having excess and umbrella insurance policies beyond the primary $50 million, TTWN’s additional insurers denied coverage shortly before a July mediation session. Judge Bridges described the timing of that decision as “tantamount to an ambush,” noting that the insurers had long been aware of TTWN’s helicopter operations and that WBTV was listed as an insured party under the policies.
Under the final judgment, TTWN granted Jillian Myers permission to pursue the remaining $76 million against the excess and umbrella carriers directly. The resolution of those insurance disputes may result in further litigation.
The Law Firms Involved
Jillian Myers was represented by Robb & Robb LLC, a firm nationally recognized for aviation-related wrongful death litigation. Gary C. Robb notably served as lead counsel for Vanessa Bryant in the wrongful death lawsuit following the helicopter crash that killed NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
The defendants were represented by Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC, with attorney William M. Starr listed as counsel.
What’s Next?
While the $126 million judgment sets a new benchmark for wrongful death settlements in North Carolina, the litigation may not be over. With TTWN’s excess insurers denying coverage, additional court action is likely as the Myers family pursues the remaining damages.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the high stakes of aviation safety. It also underscores the role of expert testimony and meticulous mechanical review in litigation over catastrophic transport failures.
The case is Jillian Ann Myers v. Wilson Air Center NC LLC, case number 23CVS004071-590, in Mecklenburg County Superior Court.
