Lucrezia Ciotti What was supposed to be a final moment of celebration after the wedding turned tragic. The helicopter flight chosen by newlyweds Jesni Sam and Dave Fiji for their honeymoon ended in a crash in Dawson Forest, Georgia. The husband and pilot lost their lives, while the bride survived with serious injuries and psychological consequences.
The flight after the wedding turns into a tragedy: dramatic epilogue
What should have concluded one of the most important days of their lives turned into a tragedy for newlyweds Jesni Sam and Dave Fiji , a Delta pilot. After their reception at The Revere in Georgia , the couple had chosen to take a scenic farewell flight aboard a Robinson R66 operated by Prestige Helicopters.
At the controls of the aircraft was Nikhil Nargundkar.
The helicopter took off around 23:45 p.m. , amid difficult weather conditions and limited visibility. Just five minutes after takeoff, the aircraft struck some tall trees and crashed into Dawson Forest , a nature reserve. Both the groom and the pilot lost their lives in the accident.
Honeymoon tragedy: helicopter crashes: survivor's shocking story
The bride, however, survived the impact , but suffered very serious injuries. After losing consciousness, Jesni Sam awoke in the wreckage of the helicopter and, "waiting for help ," remained trapped for approximately six hours , unable to move and forced to lie beneath her husband's lifeless body. The consequences of the accident were severe: injuries to her hip, legs, neck, and abdomen, as well as permanent scarring. Psychologically, the woman reportedly developed post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression , accompanied by a profound fear of flying. Following the tragedy, a lawsuit alleging negligence was filed against The Revere and Prestige Helicopters.
The widow and heirs are represented by Robb & Robb LLC , a firm already involved in the lawsuit filed by Vanessa Bryant following the death of her husband Kobe Bryant , who died in a helicopter crash in 2020. At the heart of the legal action are above all the weather conditions : according to the prosecution, the flight should not have taken place due to "dense fog" , rain and severe weather warnings , while there were allegedly no sufficient procedures in place to prevent its departure.
The pilot's failure to stop despite visibility problems is also being challenged. The family is seeking a jury trial and compensation to cover medical and rehabilitation expenses, funeral costs, and loss of income.