A tragic aviation accident occurred on Monday evening when a medical charter aircraft, functioning as an air ambulance, crashed in the Simaria region near Chatra, Jharkhand. The plane, a Beechcraft King Air BE9L operated by Delhi-based Redbird Airways, was transporting a critically ill patient from Ranchi to Delhi with seven people on board.
While six individuals survived the impact, officials have confirmed that one person has died. The aircraft reportedly lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) at approximately 7:34 PM, shortly after taking off from Ranchi Airport, and went down in a heavily forested area.
A Mission Of Mercy Cut Short
The flight was a medical evacuation carrying a team that included the pilot-in-command, a co-pilot, a doctor, a paramedic, the patient, and two family members acting as attendants. According to sources from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft established initial contact with the first station after takeoff at 7:07 PM but disappeared from the radar following the hand-over to the next control station.
Rescue teams from the local police and district administration rushed to the site despite the challenging terrain. “The state authorities have been informed, and all necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are being followed,” a spokesperson for the Ranchi Airport stated, confirming that a high-level investigation is being initiated to determine the cause of the technical failure or loss of communication.
Background Of Air Evacuation Safety
This incident highlights the inherent risks involved in the high-pressure sector of air medical services in India. While air ambulances serve as a vital lifeline for patients in remote areas or those needing specialized care in metropolitan hubs, the operating conditions—often involving older chartered turboprops and tight schedules—demand rigorous maintenance and safety oversight.
Recent years have seen sporadic incidents of small charter planes facing technical snags, prompting the DGCA to tighten norms for non-scheduled operators. In this case, the aircraft’s sudden disappearance from the radar suggests a rapid onset of trouble, leaving the flight crew with little time to issue a distress signal before the crash in the forests of Jharkhand.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we are deeply saddened by this tragedy. It is profoundly heartbreaking when a mission intended to save a life results in the loss of another and further trauma for a family already in the midst of a medical crisis. We extend our deepest empathy to the victims and their families.
This accident serves as a somber reminder of the need for uncompromising safety standards and state-of-the-art technology in our medical emergency infrastructure. Beyond the technical investigation, we must ensure that the brave medical professionals and pilots who operate these “ICUs in the sky” are supported by the best possible safety nets.
What steps do you believe the government should take to ensure that air ambulances remain a safe and reliable last resort for patients in critical need? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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— Rebel_Warriors (@Rebel_Warriors) February 23, 2026
There are reports that a Redbird Aviation chartered plane traveling from Ranchi to Delhi has crashed in Chatra.
7 people are travelling on that Air Ambulance.#Planecrash #Jharkhand pic.twitter.com/WnrOOjhrf9
