Ranchi–Delhi Air Ambulance Crashes in Jharkhand’s Chatra; 7 On Board

Ranchi/Chatra: A Ranchi–Delhi air ambulance carrying seven people crashed near Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening after losing contact shortly after takeoff, officials said.

The medical flight, operating as VTAJV, had departed Ranchi Airport around 7:10 pm. Communication with the aircraft was briefly established but was lost soon after handover to the next air traffic control unit, triggering emergency protocols.

The aircraft, a Beechcraft King Air BE9L operated by Redbird Airways Pvt. Ltd., was transporting one patient, a doctor, a paramedic, two attendants, the pilot-in-command and the co-pilot.

Authorities said the plane disappeared from radar minutes into the flight. The Rescue Coordination Centre in Kolkata was activated, and district officials in the suspected crash zone were alerted for search and rescue operations.

Panic spread in nearby areas after suspected aircraft debris was found in the Khasiyatu Karamtand forest under Simaria police station limits. Locals reported sighting parts resembling sections of the propeller and engine.

Police and local administration teams have reached the site and begun investigations. Officials said confirmation of the debris and details on casualties are awaited, while the search operation continues.