On Monday evening, an air ambulance flying from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in the Chatra district of Jharkhand, killing all seven people on board. The aircraft went down near Simaria, in a forest area. All the authorities and local officials are shocked by the sudden incident.
Also Read: Third Tejas LCA Crash: IAF Grounds Entire Fleet – What Went Wrong this Time?
The air ambulance was a Beechcraft C90, which is operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd. It had taken off from Ranchi airport at around 7.11 pm, with an approach to Delhi for medical treatment of a patient. As per official reports, the aircraft made contact with air traffic just after departure, but then lost connection with controllers around 7.30-7.34 pm. Just after that, the plane disappeared from radar before crashing into the forest.
After the accident had taken place, the emergency responders, including fire teams and police, rushed to the site once the aircraft went missing. They found the plane scattered, with no survivors. The director general of civil aviation (DGCA) confirmed that all seven people on board had died.
In the plane, there were two pilots, the patient, a doctor, a paramedic, and two medical attendants. The patient was Sanjay Kumar and was 41 years old. He was critically injured with severe burns and was being transported for advanced treatment in Delhi. Officials confirmed that Kumar’s condition was serious, which was the main reason for calling an air ambulance for faster medical transfer.
In addition, the bodies of all seven victims were recovered from the crash site and taken for post-mortem examinations. District officials and local authorities have been coordinating with recovery and investigation efforts, as family members of the victims have also begun to arrive in Jharkhand.
The DCGA has dispatched teams from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to review the site and collect evidence. They will determine the wreckage, check flight data, and determine communication to try to explain the cause of the crash. Early reports show that weather conditions and possible technical issues might be factors, but officials confirmed that a full investigation will be required before any conclusion can be reached.
The incident has drawn reactions from government officials, who have expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. The state administration has promised to support the victims’ families during the tough time.