All 7 killed in Jharkhand’s Chatra air ambulance crash

February 24, 2026

Chatra: A tragic air ambulance crash occurred in Jharkhand’s Chatra district, killing all seven people on board, including two crew members.

SP Sumit Kumar Agarwal confirmed the number of deaths. “We got information around 10 that an accident has happened… Getting here was difficult considering the terrain… The Delhi team will come here for investigation and try to recover the black box… Total number of deaths is seven,” he said.

Thunderstorm is likely the cause of crash

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G said the crash was likely caused by a thunderstorm.

“It crashed due to a thunderstorm… Unfortunately, the team of doctors found them dead. The total number of people is seven. Two were crew members, and the remaining five were a patient and the patient’s family members,” she said.

The Deputy Commissioner added that, prima facie, the accident appears to have been caused by bad weather, but the exact cause will be determined after a detailed investigation by the aviation authorities.

The Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV was operating a medical evacuation flight from Ranchi to Delhi when it crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block, around 7:30 pm.

The aircraft had taken off from Ranchi at 19:11 IST and lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi.

According to officials, a team from Delhi will arrive at the crash site later in the day to conduct a probe and retrieve the aircraft’s black box.

Further investigation is underway.

Notably, on Monday, a medical evacuation flight turned into a tragedy when a Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft, registration VT-AJV, crashed in the dense forests of Jharkhand.According to DGCA sources, on 23.02.2026, Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating a medical evacuation (Air Ambulance) flight on the sector Ranchi-Delhi crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Simariya block of Chatra district, in Jharkhand. There were seven people on board, including two crew members. The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. After establishing contact with Kolkata aircraft requested deviation due to weather. At 19:34 IST aircraft lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata. The last known position of the aircraft was approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi.

Aircraft Lost Radar Contact 

According to Ranchi Airport sources, a medical flight took off. Its contact was established with the next station, then the control was handed over to the next station. After this contact was lost. The plane did not contact the Ranchi Airport. The State has been informed about this. All necessary SOPs are being followed.

The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. A charter plane disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff from Ranchi Airportm as per DGCA sources.

In a press note, the DGCA said, “After establishing contact with Kolkata, the aircraft requested deviation due to weather. At 19:34 IST aircraft lost communication and RADAR contact with Kolkata at approximately 100 NM South-East of Varanasi. The District Administration search and rescue team is at the location, and the AAIB team is being dispatched for investigation. Further information will be shared.”

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a probe, and a team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is being dispatched to the site.

Health Minister Ansari calls it ‘very major incident’, seeks accountability

Arriving in Chatra following the crash, Ansari said the aircraft had disappeared from the radar while transporting a patient to Delhi.

“Late yesterday evening, a patient was being taken to Delhi via a Redbird flight when I received information that the aircraft had disappeared from the radar. Later, it was reported that the plane had crashed in the forests of Chatra. There were seven people on board, and rescue operations were carried out. All seven passengers were found dead. This is a very major incident,” the minister said.

Raising serious concerns over aviation safety, Ansari questioned the accountability of authorities at the national level. “What is the Government of India doing? Ahmedabad, Baramati, and now this — who is accountable for these incidents? We do not have good hospitals here, which is why people are going outside for treatment. From our side, we will extend full support, and strict action will be taken against whoever is found responsible,” he said.

The minister also pointed to the lack of advanced medical facilities in the region, noting that patients are often compelled to seek treatment outside the state, increasing reliance on air ambulance services.