JHARKHAND, INDIA: Tragedy struck on Monday when a Beechcraft air ambulance crashed in Jharkhand, killing all seven people on board. The victims included two crew members, the patient, and his relatives.
The air ambulance, operated by Redbird Airways, had taken off from Ranchi, the state capital. Authorities said the aircraft requested a change in its flight path due to bad weather. Shortly after, it lost communication and radar contact, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G of Chatra district confirmed the recovery of all bodies. “We have sent the victims for post-mortem and further investigation,” she said. The crash occurred during a severe thunderstorm, complicating rescue and recovery efforts.
The patient, Sanjay Kumar, had been receiving treatment in Ranchi after being injured in a fire. His brother, Vijay Sau, explained that the family was transporting him to Delhi for advanced medical care via air ambulance when the accident occurred.
A team from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has been dispatched to determine the cause of the crash. Experts say air crashes typically involve multiple factors and investigations can take up to a year to complete.
This incident follows recent aviation tragedies in India. Last month, a Learjet 45 crash killed five people, including Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister and two of his staff members. Aviation safety remains a major concern, particularly for chartered and medical flights like air ambulances.
Authorities are urging families to be aware of weather conditions and safety protocols when arranging air transport for medical emergencies. While air ambulances provide critical, life-saving transport, this accident highlights the risks involved in adverse weather conditions.
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The Jharkhand crash is a grim reminder of the challenges faced in medical air transport and the need for strict safety measures for all air ambulance operations in India.
