Who is Dave Fiji? Indian-origin pilot dies in Georgia helicopter crash hours after marrying long-term partner

Dave Fiji, an Indian-origin Delta Air Lines pilot, died in a helicopter crash in Georgia, US, hours after marrying his long-term partner Jesni.The couple boarded a Robinson R66 helicopter Friday night after their wedding in Dawsonville. The plane was scheduled to fly to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport as part of a post-wedding send-off, Atlanta News First reported.The helicopter crashed in dense woods near the wedding venue shortly after takeoff. The helicopter pilot was also killed. Jesny survived the accident and is currently recovering in the hospital.About 400 guests attended the wedding at The Revere in Dawsonville.According to family members, Dave and Jasni met through church connections between South Carolina and Georgia and later began a relationship. Dave’s father, George Fiji, described them as friends who became life partners. The accident triggered a search operation in the forested area. George Fiji said it took rescuers several hours to find the wreckage. Family members said Jesni was trapped inside the helicopter for nearly six hours until emergency crews found her.Gesni later told family members that she regained consciousness in the wreckage and found Dave next to her, George Fiji said. As a nurse, she realized he was dead. George said she suffered cuts and bruises but no broken bones.According to his father, Dave wanted to be a pilot since he was a child. He became a first officer at Endeavor Air and later joined Delta Air Lines as a first officer.George Fiji also said his son expressed concerns about weather conditions before the flight. He said Dave told the helicopter pilot that visibility was poor. Jesny later recalled that the pilot responded that they would fly to a higher altitude, according to George. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the accident. Authorities have not determined the cause of the crash.