Delhi: A medical evacuation flight travelling from Ranchi to Delhi met with a fatal accident on Monday night in Jharkhand’s Chatra district, killing everyone on board. Officials confirmed that the aircraft went down near the Simaria area, and rescue teams later recovered all the bodies from the crash site.
Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G confirmed the loss of lives, stating that none of the seven occupants survived the crash. Early information suggesting fewer casualties was later corrected after a full assessment of the site.
Who Were On Board
The aircraft was being piloted by Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, with Captain Savrajdeep Singh serving as co-pilot.
The remaining passengers included Sanjay Kumar, a 41-year-old patient, his attendants Archana Devi and Dhuru Kumar, along with doctor Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta and paramedic Sachin Kumar Mishra.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer Shubham Khandelwal said all seven bodies were successfully retrieved during the operation.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The ill-fated aircraft was a Beechcraft C90 air ambulance registered as VT-AJV and operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd. It departed Ranchi at 7:11 pm and was expected to reach Delhi by around 10 pm.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly after departure. Communication and radar signals reportedly dropped around 7:34 pm while the plane was en route, raising immediate concern.
Patient’s Medical Background
Sanjay Kumar, who hailed from Chandwa in Jharkhand’s Latehar district, had suffered severe burn injuries covering nearly 65 per cent of his body. He was initially admitted to Devkamal Hospital and was later referred for advanced treatment in Delhi due to his critical condition.
Dr Anant Sinha, chief plastic surgeon at Devnika Hospital, said the decision to airlift the patient was taken after consultations with the family. He was discharged in the evening and transported directly to the airport for the emergency transfer.
Investigation Underway
In the aftermath of the crash, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has sent a team to the site to determine the cause of the accident. Officials indicated that technical issues, weather conditions, and operational factors will all be examined as part of the preliminary inquiry.
