A medical evacuation aircraft crashed in a forested stretch of Jharkhand on Monday evening after disappearing from radar screens, with seven people onboard, officials confirmed. The aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft C90, had taken off from Birsa Munda Airport and was en route to Delhi when contact was abruptly lost.
Authorities said the aircraft went off radar roughly 20 minutes after departure. The last known location was traced to a forested zone in Chatra district, prompting an immediate multi-agency rescue response. Police, district administration officials, disaster response teams and aviation authorities rushed to the suspected crash site in the Simaria block, an area marked by dense vegetation and uneven terrain.
The aircraft was being operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd as an air ambulance service. On board were two pilots, a doctor, a paramedic, two attendants and a critically ill patient being transported for advanced medical care in the national capital.
Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the plane had initially established normal communication with air traffic control before radar signals were lost. Preliminary information suggests the crew may have sought a deviation in flight path due to weather conditions in the region. However, authorities cautioned that the exact cause of the crash remains unknown and will only be determined after a detailed technical investigation.
Search teams reached the general vicinity late in the night but faced difficulties accessing the precise crash location due to limited road connectivity and thick forest cover. Local villagers reportedly alerted authorities after hearing a loud explosion-like sound shortly after the aircraft vanished from radar.
Senior district officials confirmed that efforts were underway to secure the crash site and look for survivors. Ambulances and emergency medical teams have been stationed nearby as a precaution. By late evening, authorities had not issued an official statement regarding casualties.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been informed and is expected to lead the technical probe. Investigators will examine flight data, cockpit voice recordings, maintenance history, and meteorological conditions prevailing at the time of the incident. Aviation experts note that while air ambulances operate under time-sensitive conditions, they are subject to the same stringent safety checks as other chartered aircraft.
The crash has sparked concern among local residents and aviation observers alike, particularly given the critical humanitarian role such flights play. Air ambulances are often deployed in urgent medical emergencies, transporting patients from smaller cities to advanced healthcare facilities in metropolitan hubs.
As rescue operations continue, officials have urged the public to refrain from speculation. Further updates are expected once investigators assess the wreckage and verify the condition of those onboard. The state administration has assured full cooperation with aviation authorities to ensure a transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Journalist Details
- Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.
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