UMVA has learned that a tragic helicopter crash on a Georgia wedding night sendoff claimed the lives of a newlywed groom and the pilot, leaving the bride trapped for six hours with her dead husband's body on top of hers.
The harrowing accident occurred on Friday night, involving a Robinson R66 helicopter that was supposed to transport the newlyweds, Dave Fiji and Jesni Fiji, to an Atlanta-area hotel after their wedding celebration. The helicopter crashed in a wooded area in northern Georgia, near The Revere, a Dawsonville wedding venue that had hosted about 400 guests.
Jesni Fiji, a nurse, miraculously survived the crash with no broken bones, but with cuts and bruises. She awoke on Saturday morning to the horrific scene of her husband's lifeless body on top of her, with blood covering him. The sight sent her into a state of shock, and she repeatedly asked her father, George Fiji, "What happened? What happened?"
According to information obtained by UMVA, the helicopter was flying in tricky weather conditions with rain, despite the pilot's assurance to the newlyweds that they would fly at a higher altitude. Dave Fiji, a first officer for Endeavor Air, had expressed concerns about the zero visibility, but the pilot had reassured him.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, which occurred on a 10,000-acre tract owned by the City of Atlanta and managed by the state as a wildlife management area. It took authorities some time to locate the helicopter, and the cause of the crash remains unknown.
George Fiji recounted the joy and excitement his son had for flying, which began when he was just 10 years old. Dave Fiji had worked for Endeavor Air since March 2025 and was based in Atlanta. His death has sent shockwaves through the airline, with Endeavor Air issuing a statement expressing deep sadness and condolences.
The loss of Dave Fiji has been deeply felt by his family and colleagues, who remember him as a happy and handsome young man. George Fiji reflected on the tragedy, saying that their Christian faith has helped them cope with the sudden change from celebration to catastrophe.
Jesni Fiji is recovering in a metro Atlanta hospital, still trying to come to terms with the traumatic events of that fateful night. Her father-in-law described her as devastated but recovering, with a long and difficult road ahead.
