Tragic Air Ambulance Crash in Jharkhand Claims Seven Lives
In a devastating aviation incident, all seven individuals aboard a medical evacuation aircraft perished when the plane crashed in a densely forested region of the Indian state of Jharkhand on Monday evening. The air ambulance was transporting a critically injured patient to Delhi for advanced treatment at the time of the accident.
Flight Details and Immediate Aftermath
The Beechcraft C90 aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, departed from Ranchi Airport at 7:11 pm local time. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot requested a deviation due to adverse weather conditions before losing radar contact with air traffic control around 7:30 pm. The crash site was located deep within the forested Bariatu panchayat area in Simaria.
Keerthishree G, deputy commissioner of Chatra district, confirmed the grim outcome: "All seven on board the air ambulance were killed in the crash. The plane was on the way to Delhi from Ranchi." Police teams subsequently recovered all seven bodies from the wreckage.
Patient's Critical Condition and Family's Decision
The air ambulance had been arranged for Sanjay Kumar, a 41-year-old resident of Chandwa in Latehar district, who was suffering from 65 per cent burn injuries. He had been admitted to Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi on February 16 and was being treated there before his family decided to transfer him to Delhi for superior medical care.
Anant Sinha, CEO of Devkamal Hospital, explained the circumstances: "The family members decided to take him to Delhi for better treatment. They arranged an air ambulance on Monday. The patient left the hospital for Delhi around 4:30 pm."
Vijay Kumar, a relative of the patient, detailed the medical urgency that necessitated air transport: "We tried to take him by road, but the doctor said we couldn't. He told us the patient might collapse on the way. The doctor said that if we could arrange an air ambulance, then we could take him. So we decided to take him by air ambulance."
Severe Weather Conditions and Investigation
Local residents in Simaria reported that the crash occurred during extreme weather, including strong winds, heavy rainfall, lightning, and thunder. Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar noted that the aircraft lost communication approximately twenty minutes after departure and suggested that inclement weather might have been a contributing factor.
Vinod Kumar stated: "Inclement weather could be a reason behind the crash, but the actual cause will be ascertained only after a probe." Search and rescue teams from the district administration reached the remote crash site, and a specialized team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) – a division of the federal Ministry of Civil Aviation – has been dispatched to conduct a thorough investigation into the tragedy.
Operator Background and Political Response
Redbird Airways, established in 2018 and operating a fleet of six aircraft, had received authorization for non-scheduled flights in 2019. Government records confirm that the crashed Beechcraft C90 was part of their operational fleet.
Former Jharkhand chief minister and BJP leader Champai Soren expressed profound sorrow on social media, offering prayers for the deceased individuals, including the crew members, and extending condolences to their grieving families during this difficult period.
The incident highlights the risks associated with medical evacuation flights, particularly when operating in challenging weather conditions and remote geographical areas, while raising questions about aviation safety protocols for such critical missions.
