$126M settlement reached in NC helicopter crash that killed meteorologist

A $126 million settlement was reached in a helicopter crash lawsuit that killed a North Carolina meteorologist.

The $126.3 million settlement was reached in North Carolina court Sept. 16.

Jason Myers, a meteorologist for Charlotte’s WBTV, died Nov. 22, 2022, when a helicopter operated by Total Traffic and Weather Network crashed near an interstate. Myers, who was 41, was part of a simulated news mission with pilot Chip Tayag when the helicopter went down and was destroyed on impact, killing both men.

Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board found the helicopter was not airworthy at the time of flight: a defective part had been used in the control system. This nut was known to crack and fail; it connected the control rod to the main rotor mast. Despite clear manufacturer warnings advising against using this part, TTWN did not implement the recommended safety upgrade.

A wrongful death lawsuit was filed in North Carolina Superior Court in March 2023 by Jillian Ann Myers, Jason Myers’ widow, naming TTWN Media Networks LLC, and parent companies iHeartCommunications Inc. and iHeartMedia Inc. as defendants.

Myers was represented by Andrew Robb of Robb & Robb in Kansas City, as well as Brittany Sanders Robb, Gary C. Robb and Anita Porte Robb. The defendants were represented by lead attorney William Starr of Baker Donelson in Charlotte, as well as Richard Gregory, also with Baker Donelson.

The lawsuit alleged TTWN’s operational negligence caused mechanical failure leading to the crash, citing the use of the defective nut despite manufacturer guidance.

The plaintiff’s team brought in seven experts, including a metallurgist, pilot and two engineers, one of whom was the lead expert and specialized in accident reconstruction. The defendants’ team had six experts, including an engineer as lead expert, two aircraft mechanics and a metallurgist.

A North Carolina judge ultimately ordered $50 million be paid to the Myers family.

“After three years of intense litigation, the Myers family is pleased to put this phase behind them. Jason Myers’s death has had a profound impact on his wife and four children he left behind. By all accounts, this was an extraordinary man,” Andrew Robb said. “This crash was the result of defective maintenance practices and procedures, which led to the complete loss of control of the aircraft, while in flight. At the center of this litigation were the policies, practices and procedures of TTWN, the helicopter-services company that maintained this aircraft.”

The actual judgement is $126.3 million against the defendants — a $105 million total agreed upon by both parties’ attorneys along with accrued interest. However, by agreement the defendants’ primary insurers will pay $50 million. Jillian Myers can seek the additional amount against the defendants’ excess or umbrella insurance carriers.

“The Myers family sincerely hopes that this result helps to improve the practices of aviation operators at news organizations throughout the country—based on what we’ve already seen, we believe the industry got the message,” said Robb.

Starr could not be reached for comment.

RELATED: Click to search for and submit your Verdicts & Settlements

Wrongful death

Amount of settlement: $126,287,671.23

Type of action: Wrongful Death

Venue: North Carolina

Case Number/Date: 23-CVS-4071, 09/16/2025

Caption: Jillian Myers v. Total Traffic Weather Networks, LLC, et al.

Injuries alleged: Death

Plaintiff’s Attorneys: Andrew Robb, Brittany Sanders Robb, Gary C. Robb and Anita Porte Robb of Robb & Robb in Kansas City

Defendant’s Attorneys: William Starr and Richard Gregory with Baker Donelson in Charlotte

Plaintiff expert(s): Accident reconstruction specialist Donald Sommer, P.E.; Col. William Lawrence, a pilot; engineer Richard Wartman P.E.; metallurgist James Burns, Ph. D.; business and finance specialist Bart Feder; business and finance specialist Gary Albrecht; and Arthur Lee Cofmann.

Defendant expert(s): Engineer Douglas Moore, Ph. D.; metallurgist Gary Fowler, Ph. D.; aircraft mechanic John Stephenson; aircraft mechanic James Westphal; business finance specialist Paul Hardart; and accounting, damages and economics specialist Mark Gallagher