Jharkhand air ambulance crash claims seven lives; bodies sent for post-mortem
Ranchi: In an unfortunate incident, all seven people on board an air ambulance were killed after the aircraft crashed near Simaria in Jharkhand's Chatra district. Their bodies have been taken to a hospital for post-mortem examination, officials said on Tuesday.
The Beechcraft C90 air ambulance, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, was en route to Delhi from Ranchi when it crashed on Monday evening in the Bariatu Panchayat area of Simaria, located deep inside a forest, killing all seven onboard, including two pilots.
“We have brought all the seven bodies for post-mortem at Sadar Hospital, Chatra. The crash is being investigated,” an official told PTI.
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The aircraft operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd crashed shortly after taking off from Ranchi airport at 7.11 p.m. on February 23.
“All seven on board the air ambulance were killed in the crash. The plane was on the way to Delhi from Ranchi,” Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G told PTI.
“The aircraft went missing around 7.30 p.m.. It crashed at Bariatu Panchayat area in Simaria,” she said, adding that the site of the crash is located deep inside a forest.
SDPO Shubham Khandelwal told PTI that the bodies of all seven persons on board have been retrieved. They 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 the DGCA website, Delhi-based non-scheduled operator Redbird has six aircraft in its fleet, including the one that crashed.
Anant Sinha, CEO of Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi, told PTI that the air ambulance was arranged by one of their patients.
“The patient, Sanjay Kumar (41), a resident of Chandwa in Latehar district, was brought to the hospital with 65 per cent burn injuries on February 16. He was being treated in the hospital,” he said, adding that 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,” he said.
In a post on X, former Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren said he was deeply saddened by the news of the crash.
“I pray for the deceased individuals, including the crew members aboard the plane from Marang Buru (the supreme tribal deity), and for strength to their families during this difficult time,” he posted.
Earlier, Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar told PTI that the plane lost contact with air traffic control around 20 minutes after takeoff.
“Inclement weather could be a reason behind the crash, but the actual cause will be ascertained only after a probe,” he said.
In a statement, the DGCA said, “On 23.02.2026, Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating a medical evacuation (Air Ambulance) flight on sector Ranchi-Delhi crashed in Kasaria Panchayat of Chatra district, in Jharkhand. There were seven people on board, including two crew members.” “The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. After establishing contact with Kolkata at 19:34 IST, aircraft lost communication and RADAR contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi,” it added.
The district administration’s search and rescue team has already reached the location, and an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team is being dispatched, the statement said.
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