Jharkhand Air Ambulance Crash: Redbird Airways Plane Crashes In Chatra, No Survivors Reported

Ranchi: A charter plane, operating as an air ambulance, crashed in Jharkhand’s Chatra District on Monday evening after it went missing shortly after takeoff from Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport. According to reports, the charter flight, carrying 7 people, including a critically ill patient, attendants, medical staff, and crew members, crashed near Simaria, leaving no survivors. The aircraft, operated by Redbird, had been scheduled to fly to Delhi, but lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) at around 7.30 pm, with debris of the aircraft discovered later in the Chatra district near Latehar.

According to information, the ill-fated flight had 7 people on board, including the patient, 1 doctor, 1 paramedic, 2 attendants, and the pilot and co-pilot. Reports suggested that the crash occurred due to the bad weather after the plane lost communication. All necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were being followed, as confirmed by Ranchi Airport officials.

The officials stated that the aircraft, a Beechcraft King Air BE9L, had initially established contact with Kolkata ATC, requesting a deviation due to adverse weather conditions. However, communication was lost at 7.34 pm, around 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi. The last radar contact showed the aircraft deviating from its intended track, leading to concerns about a possible technical malfunction or navigational error.

As per officials, the rescue operation is underway, with local administration and aviation teams dispatched to the crash site. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been notified to probe the cause of the crash.

Meanwhile, multiple videos from the crash site also surfaced, with the locals claiming that debris, including propeller parts and engine sections, was found in the Khasiyatu Karamtand forest, suggesting a severe impact.

Flight Went Missing Shortly After Takeoff

The DGCA has confirmed that the aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff. The last radio contact was recorded at 7.34 pm with Kolkata Area Control. The aircraft's endurance was reported to be 4 hours and 12 minutes.

The Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) was activated at Kolkata at 8.05 pm, and the District Collector (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) of the last known location, near Palamau, have been informed to assist in search and rescue operations.

The aircraft was transporting a patient, who had suffered critical burn injuries and was being shifted from Dev Kamal Hospital for further treatment. The officials stated that the pilot-in-command and co-pilot were experienced aviators.

Victims Of The Plane Crash Identified

The administration has identified the victims of the tragic air ambulance crash. According to information, the patient, 41-year-old Sanjay Kumar, was being transported from Dev Kamal Hospital in Ranchi to Delhi for further treatment after suffering critical burn injuries. The other passengers on board included Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, Paramedic Sachin Kumar Mishra, and attendants Archana Devi and Dhuru Kumar.

The flight crew consisted of pilot-in-command Vivek Vikash Bhagat and co-pilot Savrajdeep Singh, both of whom were experienced aviators. Ritesh Kumar, another passenger on board, has also been identified as one of the victims. The identities of the victims have been confirmed by the administration, and their families have been informed about the tragic incident.

The officials asserted that the identification of the victims was made possible through the examination of the wreckage and the personal belongings found at the crash site. The local administration and police teams are making efforts to ensure that the families of the victims are informed and provided with necessary support during this difficult time.

Ranchi Airport Authority Confirms Crash

The Ranchi Airport Authority, in an official statement, confirmed the crash, stating that there were 7 people onboard. “On 23.02.2026, Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating medical evacuation (Air Ambulance) flight on the sector “Ranchi-Delhi” crashed in Kasaria Panchayat of Chatra district, in Jharkhand. There were seven persons 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. District Administration search and rescue team is at the location and AAIB team is being dispatched for investigation. Further information will be shared.”

Earlier, in a statement issued by the Garhwa District administration after the aircraft went missing, it was stated, “The aircraft is missing. The last wireless signal contact was at 7:30 p.M. In the Palamu/Garhwa area. While en route from Ranchi to Delhi, the aircraft crashed in a forest near Karmatand Village in the Simaria police station area of ​​Chatra District. Contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) was lost on Monday evening. According to reports, the aircraft was an air ambulance that had taken off from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, for the national capital, Delhi. The medical ambulance aircraft, which flew from Ranchi to Delhi, has disappeared from radar. According to reports, the patient and his family, a doctor, and a male nurse were also on board.”

After the deadly plane crash, Jharkhand Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari said, “This heartbreaking news has shaken me to the core. Five lives are at stake. I have directed the concerned officials to take immediate necessary action and deploy every possible resource. Our priority is the safe recovery of all passengers. I pray to God that everyone remains safe and that relief and rescue operations succeed at the earliest. The state government is closely monitoring the situation with utmost seriousness.”

Here's a timeline of the air ambulance crash in Jharkhand's Chatra:

• 7.10 pm: The air ambulance, operated by Redbird Airways, takes off from Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport with 7 people on board, including a patient, a doctor, a paramedic, two attendants, and two pilots.
• 7.34 pm: The aircraft establishes contact with Kolkata Air Traffic Control (ATC) and requests a weather deviation.
• 7.34 pm: Contact with the aircraft is lost, and it disappears from radar around 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi.
• 7.30 pm (approx.): The aircraft crashes in the Kasaria Panchayat area of Chatra district, Jharkhand.
• Post-crash: Search and rescue teams are dispatched to the crash site, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is notified for investigation.

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team arriving at the scene to begin their probe. Further details regarding the plane crash are awaited.