A tragic air ambulance crash has shocked the nation as a medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi plummeted into a dense jungle in Jharkhand’s Chatra district. The incident, confirmed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), involved a Beechcraft C90 aircraft operated by Redbird Airways Private Limited, carrying seven people including a patient, doctor, and flight crew.
The aircraft, registered VT-EJV, took off from Ranchi at 7:11 PM on February 23. It was en route to Delhi with an estimated landing time of 10 PM when communication and radar contact were abruptly lost at 7:34 PM, approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi. The last known position placed it near Kasaria Panchayat in Chatra, close to Karamatand village under Simaria police station.
Local residents first alerted authorities after hearing a loud explosion and witnessing thick smoke rising from the forested area. District administration swiftly mobilized search-and-rescue teams, battling challenging terrain and thick foliage to reach the crash site. Joint operations involving police, disaster management units, and aviation experts are underway, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team dispatched for a thorough probe.
Among the seven occupants were one patient, one doctor, one paramedic, two attendants, a pilot, and a co-pilot. No confirmed casualty figures have emerged yet, as rescue efforts continue amid difficult conditions. The DGCA has promised further updates as information becomes available.
This medical charter flight underscores the critical role of air ambulances in India’s healthcare system, but also highlights the inherent risks in remote operations. Aviation regulators and senior officials are monitoring the situation closely, with the Emergency Data Centralized Action Plan (EDCAP) tracking developments in real-time. A detailed investigation will determine the cause, whether mechanical failure, weather, or human error.
As night falls over the rugged Jharkhand terrain, hopes remain for survivors, while the aviation community mourns another loss in the skies. The coming hours will reveal more about this heartbreaking incident.