Pilot identified in helicopter crash that killed newlywed groom after wedding
The pilot in the helicopter crash that killed newlyweds shortly after their wedding has now been identified.
The Dawson County coroner said that Nikhil Nargundkar was behind the wheel of the Robinson R-66 helicopter bound for Peachtree-DeKalb Airport on May 29. Groom Dave Fiji, who died in the crash, and bride Jesni Fiji held their wedding in Dawsonville and were off to their honeymoon when the accident happened.
The cause of the crash has yet to be released, but the National Transportation Safety Board has revealed initial details in its probe.
"NTSB is continuing to document the accident scene with the assistance of the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office and the FAA," it said in a statement to PEOPLE. "Initial impact signatures show that the helicopter struck tall trees, followed by an impact with terrain in a heavily wooded area. There was no post-impact fire."
The major pieces of the helicopter have been located, and additional documentation of the helicopter systems and engine still needs to be conducted.
The agency's meteorologists are also looking into how the weather may have impacted the flight.
Dave's father George told ABC affiliate WSB-TV that his son—who's also a pilot—was initially worried about flying in foggy weather conditions. “He said, ‘I wouldn’t fly, we would not fly in this visibility,’” recalled George.
According to a PEOPLE report, George claimed that Nargundkar chose to fly at a higher altitude, and just a short time later, the chopper crashed in a wooded area.
Jesni, who sustained cuts and bruises, woke up and saw her husband lying on her chest. "She herself is a nurse," George said. "When she touched him, she called out to him. He was already cold."
Funeral services for Dave have been scheduled for June 5, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Praise Community Church in Georgia.
Naragundkar was also killed in the crash.
