• Source:JND
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A chartered plane, carrying out a medical evacuation from Ranchi to Delhi with seven people onboard, crashed on Monday, shortly after takeoff. The investigation has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the crash.

The plane has been identified as a Beechcraft King Air BE9L operated by Delhi-based Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd. The incident took place after the plane lost contact and disappeared from the radar at 7:34 PM.

According to news agency ANI, citing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sources, a medical flight took off, and its contact was established with the next station. The control was then handed over to the next station.

According to the Ranchi Airport sources, the contact was lost after that. "The plane did not contact the Ranchi Airport. The State has been informed about this. All necessary SOPs are being followed," the sources added.

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What did DGCA say?

The DGCA also issued a statement about the crash, saying that the plane crashed in Kasaria Panchayat of Chatra district, in Jharkhand.

"On 23.02.2026, Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd Beechcraft C90 aircraft VT-AJV, operating a medical evacuation (Air Ambulance) flight on sector "Ranchi-Delhi" crashed in Kasaria Panchayat of Chatra district, in Jharkhand. There were seven persons on board, including two crew members," DGCA stated.

"The aircraft was airborne from Ranchi at 19:11 IST. 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 statement further added.

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The DGCA said that the search and rescue team of the district administration was at the location. For further investigation into the cause of the crash, the AAIB team was being dispatched, and further information would be shared accordingly.

Jharkhand Minister reacts

Reacting to the tragedy, Jharkhand Minister Dr Irfan Ansari said that no official confirmation has been made yet, and the search and rescue operation has been intensified.

He said, "Upon receiving news of the incident, security agencies and local administration are on high alert. Search and rescue operations have been intensified in the probable area. No official confirmation of any kind has been made yet...I have directed the concerned officials to take immediate necessary action and deploy every possible resource. Our priority is the safe recovery of all passengers...The state government is closely monitoring the situation with utmost seriousness."


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