Air ambulance crashes in Jharkhand with 7 onboard, all feared dead
An air ambulance carrying seven people from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in Jharkhand's Chatra district on Monday evening. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff and crashed in a forest area. Search and rescue operations are underway, with all onboard feared dead.
Key Highlights
- Air ambulance crashed in Jharkhand's Chatra district.
- Seven people, including patient and medical staff, were on board.
- The flight lost contact with ATC shortly after departure.
- Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
- The cause of the crash is under investigation.
An air ambulance, en route from Ranchi to Delhi, crashed in the Simaria area of Jharkhand's Chatra district on the evening of Monday, February 23, 2026. Seven individuals were on board the Beechcraft C90 aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd. The flight, which departed from Ranchi at 7:11 PM IST, lost contact with air traffic control at 7:34 PM IST, approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi. The aircraft was expected to land in Delhi by 10:00 PM IST. The occupants included a patient, identified as 41-year-old Sanjay Kumar, a doctor, a paramedic, two attendants, and two pilots, Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat and Captain Savrajdeep Singh. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft lost communication and radar contact after establishing contact with Kolkata ATC. The crash site is located in a dense forest area, complicating search and rescue efforts. District administration teams were immediately dispatched to the location, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was also tasked with investigating the cause of the crash. Initial reports from news outlets suggest that all seven individuals on board are feared dead. This incident is the second aviation accident involving a small aircraft in India within a month, raising concerns about aviation safety protocols. The specific cause of the crash remains under investigation by the AAIB. The flight manifest detailed the names of the passengers and crew. The patient, Sanjay Kumar, was being transported for medical treatment. The medical team included Dr. Vikas Kumar Gupta and paramedic Sachin Kumar Mishra, along with attendants Archana Devi and Dhuru Kumar. The pilots were Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat and Captain Savrajdeep Singh. The aircraft was a Beechcraft C90, with registration VT-AJV. Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd is the operator of the aircraft. The incident occurred during nighttime, adding to the challenges of the rescue operation. The crash site's remote location in the Kasiyatu forest of Simaria further compounded the difficulties faced by the authorities. The DGCA's preliminary statement indicated that the pilots had contacted Kolkata ATC to request a weather deviation, suggesting that adverse weather conditions might have played a role in the accident. However, this is yet to be confirmed by the investigation. The loss of radar and communication contact indicates a sudden and severe event that led to the crash. The urgency of the situation was highlighted by the immediate dispatch of search and rescue teams. The involvement of the AAIB underscores the seriousness of the event and the need for a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences. The news highlights the risks associated with air ambulance services, particularly in remote or challenging weather conditions. The focus is now on the recovery of any potential survivors and the detailed examination of the wreckage to determine the cause of the crash. This event serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in aviation, even with specialized services like air medical transport. The investigation will likely focus on factors such as aircraft maintenance, pilot training, air traffic control procedures, and meteorological conditions at the time of the incident. The outcomes of the AAIB investigation will be crucial in understanding the sequence of events that led to this tragedy and in implementing necessary safety measures within the Indian aviation sector. The loss of life in this air ambulance crash is a significant event, underscoring the importance of robust safety regulations and their strict adherence in all forms of air travel, especially those carrying critical patients and medical personnel. The news has been reported by multiple credible Indian news outlets, corroborating the core facts of the incident. The article from The Times of India, while reporting the crash, did not initially mention the fatalities, focusing on the ongoing rescue operation. Other sources like The Hindu, The Indian Express, India Today, and Hindustan Times have consistently reported the crash with seven people on board and later confirmed the fatalities, aligning with the information from the DGCA and local authorities. The retrieved information indicates that all seven individuals on board are deceased.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the air ambulance?
An air ambulance carrying seven people from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in Jharkhand's Chatra district shortly after takeoff. All seven individuals on board are feared dead.
When and where did the crash occur?
The air ambulance crashed on the evening of February 23, 2026, in the Simaria area of Chatra district, Jharkhand. It took off from Ranchi at 7:11 PM IST and lost contact with air traffic control at 7:34 PM IST.
Who was on board the air ambulance?
There were seven people on board: a patient, a doctor, a paramedic, two attendants, and two pilots. The patient was identified as Sanjay Kumar.
What is being done after the crash?
Search and rescue operations were immediately launched. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has dispatched a team to investigate the cause of the crash.
What is the significance of this event?
This incident is the second aviation accident involving a small aircraft in India within a short period, raising concerns about aviation safety protocols and operational oversight.