What led to Ranchi-Delhi air ambulance crash? Officials reveal possible cause

The aircraft was en route to Delhi with a patient when it crashed near Simaria in Jharkhand, killing all seven on board.

Published on: Feb 24, 2026, 09:52:18 IST

Edited by Danita Yadav

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In a fresh aviation tragedy for India, seven people were killed after an air ambulance headed to New Delhi from Ranchi crashed in Jharkhand's Chatra district on Monday night. Following the incident, the Directorate of Civil Aviation launched a probe into what could have caused the crash.

Chatra: Wreckage of an Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV operating medical evacuation (Air Ambulance) flight, which was carrying seven people onboard while on its way from Ranchi to Delhi, lies near Simaria area after crash, in Chatra district, Jharkhand, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (PTI Photo)(PTI02_24_2026_000017B) (PTI)

As per a DGCA statement, the aircraft, a Beechcraft C90 VT-AJV, operated by Delhi-based Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, requested for deviation due to weather after it established contact with Kolkata.

Shortly after this, at 7:34pm, the aircraft lost communication and RADAR contact.

Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar told HT that inclement weather could be a reason behind the crash. However, he added that the real reason for the crash will be determined only after an investigation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G told news agency ANI that the crash was likely caused by a thunderstorm.

Also Read | Takeoff at 7:11 pm, contact lost 23 minutes later: Jharkhand plane crash timeline and what we know

"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 told reporters.

All 7 on board killed

The aircraft was en route to Delhi with a patient when it crashed near Simaria in Jharkhand, killing all seven on board.

The deceased have been identified as Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat, Captain Savrajdeep Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Dr Vikas Kumar Gupta, Sachin Kumar Mishra, Archana Devi and Dhuru Kumar.

As per the latest update, all bodies have been brought to Sadar Hospital, Chatra, for the post mortem.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danita Yadav
Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More

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