A 26-year-old regional pilot working for Delta Air Lines subsidiary Endeavour Air tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in Georgia just hours after his wedding ceremony. First Officer Dave Fiji, originally from Kerala, India, was travelling with his new bride, Jessni, for their honeymoon when the accident occurred on Friday night.
The couple was onboard a Robinson R66 helicopter that crashed into a wooded area near Dawsonville, Georgia, during poor weather conditions. The helicopter pilot was also killed in the crash. Jessni, who works as a nurse, survived the accident and was rescued after remaining trapped in the wreckage for several hours. She is currently recovering at a local hospital.
According to Dave’s father, the young pilot had reportedly expressed concerns about the severe weather and poor visibility before departure. Reports suggest he warned that visibility levels were nearly zero, but the flight still proceeded before crashing shortly after takeoff.
Endeavour Air released a statement mourning the loss of their colleague, describing Dave as a valued team member with a promising aviation career ahead of him. Dave had joined the airline in March 2025, and nearly 400 guests had attended the couple’s wedding earlier that same day before the tragic incident unfolded.
