Chatra/Ranchi, Feb 24: All seven persons on board an air ambulance were killed after the aircraft crashed in a forested area near Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening, officials confirmed.
The Beechcraft C90 aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, had taken off from Ranchi airport at around 7:11 PM and was en route to Delhi when it lost contact with air traffic control approximately 20 minutes into the flight.
Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G said the aircraft went missing around 7:30 PM and was later found crashed in the Bariatu Panchayat area of Simaria, deep inside a forest. “All seven on board the air ambulance were killed in the crash,” she confirmed.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Shubham Khandelwal said that all bodies have been recovered and sent for post-mortem. The deceased 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.
According to officials, the aircraft was carrying two crew members and five others, including a critically injured patient and his relatives.
Anant Sinha, CEO of Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi, said the patient, Sanjay Kumar (41), a resident of Chandwa in Latehar district, had suffered 65 per cent burn injuries and was undergoing treatment since February 16. “The family arranged an air ambulance to shift him to Delhi for advanced treatment. He left the hospital around 4:30 PM,” Sinha said.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the aircraft established contact with Kolkata ATC at 7:34 PM but subsequently lost communication and radar contact around 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi.
Preliminary reports suggest that adverse weather conditions, including a thunderstorm, may have contributed to the crash. However, authorities said the exact cause will be determined after a detailed investigation.
Rescue operations were hampered due to the difficult terrain and dense forest. Officials said vehicles could not reach the crash site, forcing teams to trek several kilometres. Medical teams were rushed to the spot but declared all occupants dead.
“We first secured the area as there was a risk of fuel-related hazards. After confirmation from doctors, the bodies were recovered and sent to the hospital,” an official said, adding that security forces, including SSB personnel and district police, have cordoned off the site.
Authorities have appealed to local residents not to disturb the crash site, as it is crucial for forensic examination and investigation.
A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to reach the site to recover the black box and ascertain the cause of the accident.
Meanwhile, former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren expressed grief over the incident, praying for the departed souls and strength for their families.
Further investigation is underway.
