Seven individuals aboard a medical evacuation flight perish in a crash in Jharkhand’s dense forests. The Beechcraft C90, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, flies from Ranchi to Delhi when it vanishes from radar amid severe weather.
Incident Timeline
The aircraft departs Ranchi Airport at 7:11 p.m. local time. Air traffic control loses contact shortly after takeoff as the pilot requests a deviation due to adverse conditions. The plane crashes around 7:30 p.m. in the Bariatu panchayat area of Simaria, Chatra district.
Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G of Chatra district confirms: “All seven on board the air ambulance were killed. The site lies deep inside a forest.” Police recover all seven bodies from the wreckage.
Patient and Mission Details
The flight transports Sanjay Kumar, a 41-year-old from Chandwa in Latehar district, suffering 65 percent burn injuries. Admitted to Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi on February 16, his condition deteriorates, prompting the air transfer.
Devkamal Hospital CEO Anant Sinha states: “The family arranged the air ambulance on Monday. The patient left the hospital for Delhi around 4:30 p.m.”
Relative Vijay Kumar explains the urgency: “We tried road travel, but doctors warned he might collapse en route. They recommended an air ambulance, so we proceeded.”
Weather and Response
Local residents in Simaria report strong winds, heavy rain, lightning, and thunder at the time of impact. Ranchi Airport Director Vinod Kumar notes: “The aircraft loses communication about 20 minutes after takeoff. Inclement weather may factor in, but investigators will confirm the cause.”
Search and rescue teams from district authorities reach the remote site. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, dispatches a team to probe the incident.
Reactions and Operator Background
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren expresses condolences on social media: “I pray to Marang Buru for the deceased, including crew members, and strength for their families.”
Redbird Airways, founded in 2018 with six aircraft, holds approval for non-scheduled operations since 2019. Government records list the crashed Beechcraft C90 among its fleet.
