Dawsonville, Georgia — A nurse who was involved in a tragic helicopter crash on her wedding night has filed a lawsuit against both the venue that organized the send-off and the helicopter operating company, claiming negligence and mismanagement of flight conditions in worsening weather. The accident claimed the lives of her husband, 25-year-old Dave Fiji, and the pilot, 28-year-old Nikhil Nargundkar, just hours after the couple exchanged vows on May 29.
Jesni Sam, the nurse at the center of the lawsuit, initiated legal action on September 22, 2026, in DeKalb County. The suit names three parties: Prestige Helicopters Inc., The Revere LLC, and Revere Group LLC, seeking damages not only for her own suffering but also on behalf of her deceased husband’s estate. Notably, Nargundkar, although involved in the crash, is not included as a defendant in the suit, and all allegations remain unproven in court.
According to Sam’s attorneys, the lawsuit is rooted in claims that the flight should have been canceled due to dangerous weather conditions. It criticizes the wedding venue for its lack of safety protocols, asserting that there was no contingency plan to postpone the flight as conditions worsened. Nargundkar is accused of failing to adequately monitor weather before departing, despite clear signs of low visibility and rain.
Andrew Robb, one of Sam’s attorneys, articulated the emotional toll of the episode, stating, “In a matter of minutes, Jesni went from celebrating the happiest day of her life to experiencing something almost impossible to comprehend.” Sam is reportedly seeking accountability for the incident, aiming for changes to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Before the ill-fated flight, about 400 guests attended a celebratory reception at The Revere, where the helicopter send-off was organized. As rain and fog set in, Dave Fiji expressed his apprehensions about the flight, questioning its safety. His father, George Fiji, recalled his son’s concerns about visibility, while Jesni later relayed that the pilot assured them they would fly at a higher altitude.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been investigating the crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff at approximately 9:50 p.m. The helicopter went down in a heavily wooded area within a designated wildlife management zone, complicating the search efforts. Rescuers took several hours to reach Jesni, who was trapped beneath the wreckage and discovered her husband had died.
The preliminary NTSB report indicated that the helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff, striking trees before landing. Investigators confirmed no fire occurred post-crash and found all major components of the aircraft intact. Weather conditions at the time suggested low cloud ceilings and potential thunderstorms, but the investigation remains open as meteorologists review data from that evening.
Andy Whitaker, director of operations for Prestige Helicopters, noted that the crash was unprecedented for the company, which prides itself on maintaining a remarkable safety record. He mentioned that Nargundkar had flown the route successfully multiple times before that evening.
As the investigation by the NTSB continues, a final report outlining the probable cause and contributing factors is expected within the next year or two. Jesni Sam’s case serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities surrounding aviation safety and the emotional repercussions faced by families in the aftermath of such tragedies.