Air Ambulance En Route To Delhi From Ranchi Crashes In Jharkhand's Chatra With 7 On Board Feared Dead

An air ambulance carrying seven people, including two crew members, crashed near Simariya in Jharkhand's Chatra district after it went off radar shortly after taking off from Ranchi Airport. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the incident on Monday.

Authorities have launched search and rescue operations at the crash site, while an investigation has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.

Aircraft Details and Flight Route

The aircraft involved in the crash has been identified as VT-AJV, an air ambulance operated by Redbird Airways. It was flying from Ranchi to Delhi on a medical evacuation mission at the time of the incident.

Officials said the aircraft regularly carried out medical evacuation flights from Ranchi Airport. It was one of two air ambulances stationed in Ranchi and operated by Redbird Airways, with the other aircraft identified as VT-RAM.

The flight departed Ranchi at around 7:11 pm. However, it lost contact with air traffic control approximately 23 minutes later, around 7:34 pm, near the Atali area.

Loss of Communication With Air Traffic Control

Soon after takeoff, the aircraft established initial communication with the next air traffic control station as per routine procedure. Control of the flight was then formally handed over to the next station.

However, communication was later lost, and the aircraft failed to reconnect with Ranchi Airport. According to air traffic control records at Varanasi (VEBN), the aircraft did not establish contact after the scheduled handover.

This raised immediate concern among aviation authorities, who began emergency procedures to trace the aircraft.

Rescue and Investigation Underway

Following the loss of communication, the Rescue Coordination Centre was activated in line with emergency protocols. State authorities were immediately informed, and search and rescue teams were sent to the area where the aircraft was last traced.

The DGCA said a rescue team has reached the crash location, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team is being dispatched to investigate the incident.
Officials said all standard operating procedures are being followed as multiple agencies work together to assess the situation and gather details.

Further Updates Awaited

Authorities are continuing rescue and assessment operations at the crash site. More information about the condition of those on board and the cause of the crash is expected after preliminary findings from the investigation teams.

For now, aviation and state authorities remain focused on rescue efforts and determining what led to the tragic incident.