CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A new report just released by the National Transportation Safety Board has revealed a final determination on what investigators believe led up to the crash of WBTV News helicopter Sky3.

The final NTSB report says the crash happened about five minutes into the flight back in November 2022.

The report says several pieces of hardware including a bolt, washers, and nut, were loose and backed out during the flight. Those were supposed to be connecting a control rod and a swashplate, which controls the motion of a helicopter.

The report also says at least one spacer was installed backwards, likely during a field maintenance overhaul three years prior.

The NTSB says the whole mechanical assembly was supposed to be inspected before each flight.

Helicopter pilot Chip Tayag and meteorologist Jason Myers died in the crash. There are still two white crosses on the side of Interstate 77 where the helicopter went down.

To view the full report, click here.