An air ambulance crash carrying seven people took place in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Sunday evening, triggering an emergency response from local authorities. The aircraft was on a medical evacuation mission and was flying from Ranchi to Delhi when it suddenly lost contact with air traffic control.
According to aviation officials, the aircraft was a Beechcraft C90 operated by a private airline. It took off from Ranchi at 7:11 pm and was expected to land in Delhi later that night. However, around 23 minutes after take-off, communication with the aircraft was unexpectedly lost, raising immediate concerns.
Details of People on Board
The air ambulance had seven people on board at the time of the incident. These included two pilots, a patient requiring urgent medical attention, two attendants accompanying the patient, one doctor, and one paramedic. All seven individuals were part of a critical medical transfer aimed at saving the patient’s life.
Officials said the flight was arranged to transport the patient quickly to Delhi, where advanced medical facilities were available.
Aircraft Lost Contact Midway
After departing Ranchi, the aircraft maintained routine communication with air traffic control. At around 7:34 pm, however, it lost both radar and radio contact. At that time, the aircraft was flying approximately 100 nautical miles south-east of Varanasi.
Despite repeated attempts, authorities were unable to re-establish contact. Emergency protocols were immediately activated, and monitoring agencies began tracking possible locations of the aircraft.
The tail number of the aircraft was identified as VT-AJV.
Patient’s Medical Condition
The patient onboard was a 41-year-old man who had suffered severe burn injuries in a previous accident. Medical records showed that he had sustained burns on nearly 63 percent of his body. He was being treated in an intensive care unit and remained in a critical condition.
Due to the seriousness of his injuries, doctors decided to shift him to Delhi for advanced medical care, which required specialized facilities and expert treatment.
Search and Rescue Operations Begin
Once the aircraft was reported missing, the district administration and emergency services launched search and rescue operations in the suspected crash area. Local teams were deployed after aircraft debris was located in parts of Chatra district.
Rescue efforts continued despite challenges such as rough terrain and poor visibility during nighttime. Officials confirmed that emergency teams reached the site and began assessing the situation.
Investigation Ordered
A detailed investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the crash. Aviation experts and investigators will examine the wreckage, flight communication records, and technical data to understand what went wrong.
Authorities said the investigation would consider all possible factors, including weather conditions, mechanical failure, and operational procedures.
Authorities Await Further Information
Officials stated that more information will be shared after the investigation makes progress. They also emphasized the need for strict safety checks and protocols, especially for emergency medical flights.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the risks involved in medical evacuation missions and the importance of maintaining the highest safety standards in aviation.