Seven Killed in Ranchi - Delhi Air Ambulance Crash in Jharkhand Forest
A tragic air ambulance crash in Jharkhand's Chatra district claimed the lives of all seven people on board on February 23. The Beechcraft C90 aircraft, registered as VT-AJV and operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, was en route to Delhi from Ranchi when it went down near Bariatu Panchayat in Simaria, deep inside a forested area.
According to officials, the aircraft took off from Ranchi airport at 7.11 pm IST. After contacting Kolkata Air Traffic Control, the crew reportedly requested a deviation due to adverse weather conditions.
Around 7.30 pm, communication and radar contact were lost approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi, and nearly 20 minutes had passed since takeoff when the aircraft disappeared from ATC screens.
The wreckage was later located in a remote forest region of Chatra district. District administration teams, along with search and rescue personnel, rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies of all seven occupants.
Those who lost their lives have been identified as Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, Captain Savrajdeep Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, Sachin Kumar Mishra, Archana Devi, and Dhuru Kumar.
Sanjay Kumar, 41, a resident of Latehar district, had been admitted to Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi on February 16 with 65% burn injuries. Hospital authorities stated that due to the severity of his condition, transporting him by road to Delhi for advanced treatment was considered too risky.
Fearing that he might not survive the journey by ambulance, the family opted for air transfer. Tragically, the flight meant to save his life ended in disaster.
Ranchi Airport Director Vinod Kumar confirmed that the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control roughly 20 minutes after departure. While poor weather is suspected to have played a role, officials emphasised that the exact cause will only be determined after a detailed investigation.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is being dispatched to examine the crash site and analyse flight data, maintenance records, and weather conditions at the time of the incident.
Authorities have assured that a comprehensive probe will be conducted to establish the precise sequence of events and to implement stronger safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The incident has left families shattered and the region in mourning. As investigations begin, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind the crash. May the departed souls rest in peace, and may their loved ones find strength in this hour of immense grief.