Redbird Airways C90 Crashes in Jharkhand; Seven Fatalities Confirmed
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A Redbird Airways air ambulance crashed in Jharkhand, killing all seven on board, after requesting a weather deviation and losing contact with ATC.
Key Takeaways
- •Seven fatalities confirmed after a Redbird Airways Beechcraft C90 crashed in Jharkhand.
- •Aircraft lost radar contact after requesting a weather-related flight path deviation from ATC.
- •Crash intensifies scrutiny on India's non-scheduled operators amid ongoing DGCA safety audits.
- •India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a formal investigation.
All seven individuals on board a Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd air ambulance died after the aircraft, a Beechcraft C90, crashed in a forested area of Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday evening. The incident occurred after the flight crew requested a deviation from their planned route due to adverse weather, according to aviation authorities.
The aircraft, registered as VT-AJV, was operating a medical transport flight from Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport to Delhi. According to a statement from India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the flight lost communication and radar contact shortly after the weather deviation request. The crash raises further questions about the safety oversight of non-scheduled aviation operators in India, a sector already under review following a separate fatal incident earlier in the year.
Timeline of the Incident
The Beechcraft C90 departed from Ranchi at 7:11 pm local time. After establishing contact with Kolkata Air Traffic Control (ATC), the crew requested a course deviation due to weather. The DGCA confirmed that communication and radar contact were lost at 7:34 pm, when the aircraft was approximately 100 Nautical Miles (NM) south-east of Varanasi.
Authorities noted that the aircraft subsequently failed to make contact with either Varanasi or Lucknow ATC. A radar replay conducted in Varanasi indicated the last recorded signal from the aircraft was at 7:22 pm. Rescue teams later located the wreckage deep inside a forest in the Bariatu Panchayat area of Simaria and confirmed there were no survivors. The victims included the patient, Sanjay Kumar, two pilots, a doctor, a paramedic, and two attendants.
Investigation and Initial Findings
While the precise cause of the crash is undetermined, preliminary information points towards weather as a potential contributing factor. Ranchi airport director Vinod Kumar stated, “Inclement weather could be a reason behind the crash, but the actual reason will be determined only after a probe.”
An investigative team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the independent body responsible for air crash probes in India, has been dispatched to the site. The AAIB will conduct a detailed inquiry into the sequence of events, review maintenance records, and analyze flight data and cockpit voice recorders, if recovered, to establish a definitive cause.
Operator and Aircraft Details
The flight was operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, a Delhi-based non-scheduled operator that provides charter and air ambulance services. The company was established in 2018 and received its air operator permit from the DGCA in 2019. According to its public filings, the airline's fleet includes several aircraft types, such as the Embraer Legacy 600, Dassault Falcon 2000, and the King Air C90 involved in the accident.
The medical flight was arranged to transport 41-year-old Sanjay Kumar, who had sustained severe burn injuries and was being transferred from a Ranchi hospital to Delhi for specialized treatment.
Broader Regulatory Context
This incident occurs amid heightened scrutiny of India's non-scheduled aviation sector. It follows a previous fatal crash on January 28 involving a Learjet 45 in Baramati, Maharashtra, which killed five people. That accident prompted the DGCA to announce it would conduct Special Safety Audits of Non-Scheduled Operators to review their compliance with safety regulations and operational procedures.
However, the findings from these special audits have not yet been publicly released. Similarly, the final investigation report into the Baramati crash remains undisclosed. This latest tragedy involving Redbird Airways is expected to intensify pressure on regulatory bodies to provide greater transparency regarding the safety standards and oversight of charter and air ambulance operators across the country.
Why This Matters
This fatal crash places additional pressure on the DGCA to conclude and publicize its safety audits of India's non-scheduled and charter flight industry. The incident underscores the operational risks associated with air ambulance services, particularly in challenging weather, and will likely lead to renewed calls for more stringent regulatory oversight and transparency to prevent future tragedies.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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