Bride Trapped Under Husband's Body for Hours After Wedding Helicopter Crash, Lawsuit Claims

A newlywed bride was forced to lie trapped beneath the body of her deceased husband for nearly six hours following a helicopter crash that occurred shortly after their wedding ceremony, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.

Jesni Sam and Dave Fiji were married on May 29 at The Revere, a wedding venue in Dawsonville, Georgia. Minutes after departing the venue around 11:45 p.m. for a helicopter sendoff, the Robinson R66 helicopter carrying the couple and pilot Nikhil Nargundkar crashed into trees in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area.

Fiji, the groom, and Nargundkar, the pilot, were killed in the crash. Sam miraculously survived but sustained severe injuries, including wounds to her hip, leg, neck, fingers, arm, and stomach. The lawsuit alleges she also suffered headaches, dizziness, loss of balance, extensive scarring, and significant emotional and psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, grief, and anxiety.

According to the lawsuit filed by Robb & Robb LLC, Sam remained trapped in the wreckage for approximately six hours. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) cited weather conditions that may have included rain, fog, low clouds, and moderate rain, with advisories for thunderstorms and poor visibility in effect.

Fiji's mother, Phebah Fiji, told Fox 5 that her son, a Delta pilot, had expressed concerns about the weather but was assured by Nargundkar that the flight would be safe. "Initially, it was going to be called off because of weather concerns," she said. "However, when the chopper came in, the pilot was very confident that it wouldn’t be an issue, even though it had started raining."

The lawsuit accuses The Revere and Prestige Helicopters, the Atlanta-based company that operated the flight, of negligence. It alleges they failed to adequately assess weather conditions and proceed with the flight. The Revere also allegedly lacked proper procedures for postponing or canceling such rides. The complaint further questions the pilot's decision to fly under the reported conditions and raises concerns about the helicopter's altitude.

Sam is seeking compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and emotional suffering. The lawsuit also seeks damages for Fiji's funeral expenses and loss of income for his estate. A jury trial is requested to determine the final compensation amount.