Jharkhand Air Ambulance Crash: All 7 Die As Ranchi-Delhi Medical Flight Goes Down Near Simaria Forest

All seven occupants of a medical evacuation aircraft lost their lives after the air ambulance crashed in Jharkhand's Chatra district on Monday evening while flying towards Delhi from Ranchi.

The aircraft went down near Simaria, ending a rescue transfer that was meant to shift a critically injured patient to the national capital for advanced treatment. Authorities confirmed that none of the people on board survived the impact.

Crash Near Forested Simaria Area

Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G confirmed the fatalities, saying, "All seven on board the air ambulance were killed in the crash. The plane was on the way to Delhi from Ranchi," she told PTI.

The plane, operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, departed Ranchi airport at 7:11 pm. Roughly 20 minutes later, communication stopped and the aircraft was later found crashed in Bariatu Panchayat of Simaria, a heavily wooded zone that complicated rescue operations.

Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar said the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff. He noted that weather conditions may have played a role but added that confirmation would only come after an investigation.

"Inclement weather could be a reason behind the crash, but the actual cause will be ascertained only after a probe," he told PTI.

Local residents reported intense rain, gusty winds, lightning and thunder at the time of the accident, followed by a loud explosion-like sound.

Victims Identified

Police teams recovered all bodies from the crash site. Sub-divisional police officer Shubham Khandelwal confirmed the recovery and identification of the victims:

• Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat
• Captain Savrajdeep Singh
• Sanjay Kumar
• Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta
• Sachin Kumar Mishra
• Archana Devi
• Dhuru Kumar

Patient Being Taken To Delhi

Hospital officials said the air ambulance had been arranged for Sanjay Kumar, 41, from Latehar district. He had been admitted to Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi on February 16 with about 65 percent burn injuries and was being shifted to Delhi for specialised care.

The transfer flight was part of a medical evacuation mission when the accident occurred.

DGCA Details And Investigation

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation stated that the Redbird Airways Beechcraft C90 aircraft (registration VT-AJV) lost communication and radar contact shortly after establishing contact with Kolkata control.

The regulator said, "On 23.02.2026 Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating 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," DGCA said.

Search and rescue personnel from the district administration reached the site soon after the incident. Officials said a team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will examine the wreckage to determine the precise cause of the crash.