Fresh details have emerged in the tragic air ambulance crash in Chatra district of Jharkhand that killed all seven people onboard. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft had taken off from Ranchi at 7:11 pm and established contact with Air Traffic Control in Kolkata at 7:34 pm, requesting a route diversion due to inclement weather.
Shortly after the request, the aircraft lost communication and radar contact approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi. The aircraft later crashed in a dense forest area of Chatra district, making rescue operations extremely difficult due to inaccessible terrain.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is set to visit RedBird Aviation’s office in New Delhi to examine safety audits, operational procedures, and technical records. RedBird Aviation officials confirmed they are cooperating with investigators and stated that both pilots were experienced and had reported bad weather conditions.
The victims included burn patient Sanjay from Latehar district, his wife Archana, relative Dhruv, two pilots, a doctor, and a paramedic. Sanjay’s family had reportedly borrowed money and taken loans to arrange the air ambulance to shift him to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi for treatment.
Authorities suspect severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms, may have contributed to the crash, while the investigation continues to determine the exact cause.
