Tragic Air Ambulance Crash in Jharkhand Claims Seven Lives
Devastating Incident in Chatra District
A heart-wrenching air ambulance crash in Chatra district, Jharkhand, has shocked the nation. On the evening of February 23, 2026, an air ambulance en route from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in a dense forest area of the Simaria police station, resulting in the immediate deaths of all seven individuals on board.
Details of the Air Ambulance
The aircraft involved was operated by Redbird Airways and was a Beechcraft King Air BE9L model (registration VT-AJV). It was transporting a critically burned patient to Delhi for advanced medical care.
Identities of the Victims
- Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat (Pilot-in-command)
- Captain Savrajdeep Singh (Co-pilot)
- Sanjay Kumar (41 years, patient) – a resident of Chandwa in Latehar district, admitted to Devkamal Hospital, Ranchi, due to 65% burns sustained in a fire incident on February 16.
- Archana Devi (Patient's wife/attendant)
- Dhuru Kumar (Relative/attendant)
- Dr. Vikas Kumar Gupta (Doctor)
- Sachin Kumar Mishra (Paramedic)
Circumstances Surrounding the Crash
Sanjay Kumar was a businessman who suffered severe burns due to a fire at his restaurant. His family had taken an 8 lakh rupee loan to book this air ambulance for better treatment.
The aircraft took off from Ranchi Airport at 7:11 PM. Approximately 20-23 minutes later, at 7:34 PM, contact was lost with Kolkata ATC, and radar contact was also lost. The pilot had requested a route deviation due to adverse weather conditions. The crash occurred about 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi, amidst a thunderstorm.
Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has promptly initiated an investigation. A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has arrived at the crash site, and both post-mortem and technical investigations are currently ongoing.