A newlywed Indian-origin pilot, Dave Fiji, died in a helicopter crash in Atlanta just hours after marrying his long-time partner, turning a joyous celebration into a devastating tragedy.
The 25-year-old Delta Airlines regional pilot was traveling with his wife, Jesni, in a Robinson R66 helicopter shortly after their wedding ceremony at The Revere in Dawsonville, Georgia, on the night of Friday, May 29, 2026. The aircraft, which was headed to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport as part of a special wedding send-off, crashed in a heavily wooded area near the venue.
The crash also claimed the life of the helicopter’s pilot. Jesni Fiji survived and is recovering in hospital with cuts and bruises but no broken bones, according to family members.
Dave and Jesni had met through church connections between South Carolina and Georgia, and their friendship eventually blossomed into a relationship. “Friends who decided to become life partners,” said Dave’s father, George Fiji, describing the couple.
Around 400 guests attended the wedding. Recalling the celebrations, George said his son had been overjoyed on his wedding day. “My son was so happy. I was just standing there watching my son and admiring him. He looked so handsome,” he said.
The wreckage was located after several hours of search operations in the wooded area. Jesni remained trapped inside the helicopter for nearly six hours before being rescued. “When she woke up, she saw my son resting on her bosom. She saw blood on him, and by then his body was completely cold,” George Fiji said. “She’s a nurse, so she knew he was gone.”
Dave Fiji had dreamed of becoming a pilot since childhood and achieved that goal by joining Delta Air Lines as a first officer. According to his father, Dave had expressed concerns about poor visibility before the flight, but the helicopter pilot assured him they would fly at a higher altitude.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash and has not yet determined the cause.
In the midst of their grief, the Fiji family said their Christian faith is helping them cope. “Without God, there would be many questions — why? God granted us a perfect wedding, and within a few hours everything changed into tragedy. The only place we can find answers and peace is in God,” George Fiji said.
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