Four months after a fatal helicopter crash cut short a wedding celebration in Georgia, the surviving bride has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both the wedding venue and the aviation company involved. Jesni Sam, who was seriously injured in the incident, alleges that the flight should never have proceeded due to deteriorating weather conditions that posed a clear risk to safety.
The legal complaint, filed on September 22, asserts that the companies failed to properly assess the weather and acted with negligence by allowing the flight to continue. The crash, which occurred on May 29, resulted in the deaths of the groom, Delta pilot Dave Fiji, and the helicopter pilot, Nikil Nargundkar. Sam survived the impact but remained trapped in the wreckage for nearly six hours before rescue teams could reach her.
Allegations of Negligence and Weather Concerns
The lawsuit details the events surrounding the couple's departure from The Revere, a wedding and events venue located in Dawsonville, Georgia. Following their reception, the couple boarded a Robinson R66 helicopter operated by
According to the legal filing, the aircraft struck tall trees before impacting the ground in a heavily wooded area. The lawsuit claims that the decision to proceed with the flight was made despite visible weather concerns. Family members of the late Dave Fiji have previously stated that the groom had expressed reservations about the visibility and the safety of flying in the rain. Despite these concerns, the pilot reportedly expressed confidence that the flight could be completed safely.
A Traumatic Aftermath
The legal team representing Sam, led by Andrew Robb of the firm Robb & Robb LLC, described the transition from the couple's wedding celebration to the tragedy as an experience that is difficult to comprehend. The lawsuit highlights the severity of the incident, noting that Sam was trapped inside the wreckage with the body of her husband until rescuers were able to extract her shortly before 3 a.m. on May 30.
The litigation seeks damages for the loss and the trauma sustained during the incident. As the case proceeds, the focus remains on the operational decisions made by the companies involved in the lead-up to the flight. Neither the venue nor the helicopter operator has provided a public response to the specific allegations contained within the newly filed complaint.
