Wedding Flight Ends in Tragedy as Helicopter Crash Kills Two in Dawson County

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Federal investigators are continuing to examine the cause of a helicopter crash in Dawson County that claimed the lives of two people and left a third injured late Friday night.

According to authorities, a Robinson R66 helicopter crashed in a heavily wooded area near Mt. Vernon Drive at approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 29. Emergency crews responded to the remote crash site and launched an extensive search and rescue operation.

Officials confirmed that three people were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash. Two individuals died, while one woman survived and was rescued after crews navigated difficult terrain to reach the wreckage. She was transported to a hospital for treatment.

New details released over the weekend indicate the helicopter had departed from a North Georgia wedding venue and was returning from a wedding-related flight when the crash occurred. The aircraft was operated by Prestige Helicopters, whose representatives said the route was one the pilot had flown numerous times.

The Dawson County Coroner’s Office confirmed that the victims were the pilot and the groom who had been aboard the flight. Family members identified the groom as Dave Fiji. The surviving passenger was identified by relatives as the bride, Jesni Sam.

The National Transportation Safety Board has assumed control of the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration. Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft, the pilot’s qualifications and experience, maintenance records, weather conditions and other factors that may have contributed to the crash.

While officials have not determined a cause, weather conditions are expected to be part of the investigation. Reports indicate rain, thunderstorms and areas of fog were present in portions of Dawson County around the time the helicopter went down.

Investigators remained at the crash site over the weekend documenting evidence and examining the wreckage. A preliminary report from the NTSB is expected within approximately 30 days, though a final determination on the cause of the crash could take significantly longer.

The crash marks one of the deadliest aviation accidents in North Georgia this year and has drawn widespread attention as investigators work to determine what led to the tragedy.