Indian-Origin Pilot Dies in Helicopter Crash Hours After Wedding in Georgia

An Indian-origin pilot was killed in a helicopter crash in the U.S. state of Georgia just hours after his wedding. The victim, Dave Fiji, was a pilot with Delta Air Lines.

According to a report published by NDTV, the Robinson R66 helicopter carrying the newlyweds crashed near Dawsonville while they were on their way to begin their honeymoon. The helicopter pilot was also killed in the accident. However, Dave’s wife, Jesni, survived and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Atlanta.

Dave’s father, George Fiji, said that Dave and Jesni got married on Friday. The couple had first met nearly a decade ago at New Testament Church. Around 400 guests attended their wedding ceremony at The Revere venue in Dawsonville.

After the wedding reception, the newlyweds boarded a Robinson R66 helicopter bound for DeKalb-Peachtree Airport. They had planned to spend the night at a hotel in Atlanta before beginning their honeymoon.The helicopter ride had been arranged as a special send-off for the couple.

However, the aircraft never reached its destination. It crashed in a remote wooded area near Mount Vernon Drive in Dawson County, not far from the wedding venue.

George Fiji said it took rescue crews considerable time to locate the wreckage. During that period, Jesni, who had sustained multiple injuries, remained trapped in the crash site for nearly six hours.

“Jesni told me that when she regained consciousness, she saw Dave lying with his head on her chest,” George said. “There was blood on him, and his body had already turned cold. Jesni is a nurse, so she immediately realized that Dave was no longer alive.”

He added that although Jesni is emotionally devastated, she is gradually recovering.

George also revealed that Dave had expressed concerns about the weather conditions before the flight. “My son was a pilot himself. He told the helicopter pilot that under such conditions, we normally would not fly,” he said.

According to George, the helicopter pilot reassured them that there would be no problem if they flew at a higher altitude.

Meanwhile, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash. Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the accident.