Ranchi: All seven people on board a chartered air ambulance flight from Ranchi to Delhi were killed after the aircraft crashed into a forested area near Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening, February 23, 2026.
The aircraft, a Beechcraft C90 air ambulance operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, had taken off from Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi at approximately 7:10 pm and was headed to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Around 20 to 25 minutes after takeoff, air traffic control lost contact with the plane.
Villagers in the Kasiyatu forest area reported hearing a loud explosion before spotting smoke rising from the crash site.
All seven occupants died in the crash. The deceased include:
Sanjay Kumar, 41, a burn patient being shifted for advanced treatment
Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, medical officer
Sachin Kumar Mishra, paramedic
Archana Devi, attendant
Dhuru Kumar, attendant
Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, pilot
Captain Savrajdeep Singh, co-pilot
Authorities transported the bodies to Sadar Hospital in Chatra for post-mortem examinations.
Sanjay Kumar had suffered severe burn injuries and required urgent specialized care in Delhi. Reports indicate that his family had arranged nearly ₹8 lakh to fund the air ambulance transfer, underscoring the emotional and financial burden behind the emergency flight.
Preliminary reports suggest that the aircraft had requested a deviation due to adverse weather conditions shortly before it disappeared from radar. Officials suspect inclement weather, possibly a thunderstorm, may have contributed to the accident. However, authorities have not confirmed the exact cause.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have initiated a detailed probe. Investigators will analyze flight data, air traffic control communication, weather conditions, and technical factors to determine what went wrong.
Dense forest terrain made rescue and recovery operations challenging for local authorities and emergency teams.
State officials expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured a thorough investigation. The tragedy has once again drawn attention to aviation safety standards in India’s non-scheduled charter and air ambulance sector.
(Rh/ARC)