Indian origin delta Pilot Dave Fiji, 25, met a tragic end on his wedding day when the Robinson R-66 helicopter carrying him and his bride, Jesni, crashed in a Fiji forest. Georgia.
He and his wife left the wedding in an excited mood and took a helicopter for their honeymoon, but bad weather caused the plane to crash.
Fiji, whose family has roots in Kerala, celebrated his union with his bride with hundreds of guests near Dawsonville on the Friday night before the catastrophic events.
Dave Fiji’s father speaks out after tragic incident
His father, George Fiji, told WSB-TV, calling him a “precious child.” “He was a gift from God to us. He was a God-fearing child. So handsome and beautiful.”
According to media reports, the two took the oath at the Revere Hotel.
Meanwhile, the groom’s mother, Pheba Fiji, said, “They both could feel God’s presence at the altar, God’s presence was tangible. There was a special light and glory in his face that we couldn’t explain. And it wasn’t just us who noticed.”
This is where something went wrong
The couple, who first met nearly a decade ago at New Testament Church, began wrapping up their celebrations around 9:30 p.m. as the weather began to deteriorate.
However, the unnamed pilot, who also died in the crash, rose to a higher altitude amid rain and fog.
The helicopter is flying to Peachtree-DeKalb Airport where the newlyweds will enjoy a night at a downtown hotel AtlantaShortly after takeoff, it crashed into a secluded forest.
George told WSB-TV that Jasni was trapped under the rubble for five hours until emergency crews managed to rescue her.
What happened to Jesni?
“She said when she woke up, she was under the rubble,” George said. “She woke up and saw him lying on her chest. She was a nurse herself. When she touched him, she called out to him. He was already cold.”
‘Heartbroken’ bride taken to northeast Georgia Medical Center and is expected to return home within days after suffering cuts and scrapes.
Endeavor Air says this
A division of Endeavor Air delta “We are deeply saddened by the loss of a colleague and friend, and we know this news may be particularly difficult for those who knew and worked with him,” the airline said in a statement.
The Fiji co-pilot became a member of Endeavor Air in March 2025, the airline reported.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the incident. The helicopter is owned by Prestige Helicopters, which operates out of the Peachtree-DeKalb Airport.
