A tragic aviation incident unfolded in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening when an air ambulance en route from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in the Kasariya Panchayat area. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the mishap, noting that the Beechcraft C90 aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways Private Limited, carried seven people including two crew members.
The flight, designated for medical evacuation, took off from Ranchi at 7:11 PM. Initial reports indicate communication and radar contact with air traffic control was lost around 7:34 PM, approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi after contacting Kolkata ATC. The aircraft was heading to Delhi with an estimated landing time of 10 PM.
Onboard were one patient, a doctor, a paramedic, two attendants, a pilot, and a co-pilot. Local residents in the Simariya police station area near Karmatand village reported hearing a loud noise and seeing smoke rising from a dense jungle region, prompting immediate response from authorities.
District administration’s search-and-rescue teams are on site, battling challenging terrain and thick forests. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team has been dispatched for a thorough probe. Joint operations involving local police, disaster management units, and emergency response protocols are underway.
DGCA has assured updates as more details emerge. Senior officials from civil aviation and security agencies are monitoring the situation closely. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with radar data and last known location guiding the efforts.
This incident highlights the risks associated with medical charter flights in remote areas, where quick response can mean the difference between life and death. Rescue operations continue non-stop, with hopes for positive outcomes amid the uncertainty.