ARanchi-Delhi chartered air ambulancecarrying seven people crashed shortly after takeoff from Ranchi on Monday, with all on board feared dead. Early indications suggest adverse weather may have played a critical role in the accident, according to preliminary inputs from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The aircraft departed from Ranchi at 19:11 IST on a medical evacuation flight. Officials said that after takeoff, the crew established contact with Kolkata Air Traffic Control (ATC).
At 19:34 IST, the pilots reportedly requested a deviation from their planned route due to bad weather, according to the DGCA. Shortly after this request, the aircraft lost communication and radar contact with Kolkata ATC, approximately 100 nautical miles southeast of Varanasi.
"The air ambulance from Ranchi with seven people onboard crashed near Simaria in Chatra district. The report of the crash was received from the state administration," Ranchi airport Director Vinod Kumar said.
The ambulance lost contact with air traffic control around 20 minutes after takeoff, according to the official. Seven people onboard included two pilots, identified as Vivek Vikas Bhagat and Captain Savrajdeep Singh, one patient, two attendants, one doctor, and one paramedic.
DGCA has confirmed that the aircraft was operating as a medical flight. Contact had been established with the next control station after departure, and the aircraft was handed over as per standard protocol. However, after that handover, the aircraft failed to maintain further communication. The plane later disappeared from radar and was subsequently found crashed in Jharkhand.
While the exact cause of the crash will be determined after a detailed investigation, the crew's request for deviation due to weather raises the possibility that severe weather conditions may have contributed to the accident. Aviation authorities have initiated a probe, and standard operating procedures are being followed. The state government has been informed.
Officials are expected to examine weather patterns, flight data, cockpit voice recordings, and ATC communications to determine whether turbulence, storm activity, or other weather-related factors led to the fatal crash.
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Shafali Nigam is a Senior Correspondent with the Times Group, covering civil aviation, education, women and child affairs, and politics. With over sev...View More
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