Air ambulance plunges into eastern India forest, killing 7

Seven Dead After Air Ambulance Crashes in Eastern India’s Forest

An air ambulance carrying a burn patient and six others crashed in a densely forested area of eastern India on Monday, leaving no survivors, officials confirmed.

The Beechcraft C90 aircraft operated by Redbird Airways Pvt. Ltd. went down shortly after taking off from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state. India’s aviation regulatory body, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), reported that the aircraft lost control just minutes into its flight.

“All seven persons on board the air ambulance are dead and their bodies sent for postmortem,” said senior local official Keerthishree G., speaking to The Associated Press from the crash site on Tuesday.

The aircraft was transporting a critically ill burn patient to New Delhi for specialized medical treatment. Accompanying the patient were a doctor, a paramedic, and two family members, along with the pilot and co-pilot manning the aircraft.

Preliminary reports from state officials suggest the plane may have encountered turbulence due to adverse weather conditions before losing control. The DGCA has announced that a specialized team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is being dispatched to the crash site to determine the precise cause of the accident.

Local residents reported hearing a loud explosion followed by smoke rising from the heavily wooded area, prompting an immediate response from local authorities. The challenging terrain likely complicated rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the crash.

Air ambulances serve a vital function in India’s healthcare infrastructure, frequently transporting critically ill patients from smaller cities and rural areas to major medical centers equipped with advanced treatment capabilities. For many patients in remote regions, these services represent their only chance to access specialized care in emergencies.

This incident has reignited concerns about aviation safety during India’s adverse weather conditions, particularly in regions with challenging geography. The crash occurred during a period when parts of eastern India typically experience pre-monsoon weather patterns that can create unpredictable flying conditions.

The accident follows another recent aviation tragedy in India, where a private plane carrying a senior state official crashed in western India several weeks ago, resulting in five fatalities. These consecutive incidents may prompt aviation authorities to review safety protocols for small aircraft operations, particularly during challenging weather.

India’s civil aviation sector has expanded dramatically in recent years, with increasing numbers of private operators offering specialized services like medical evacuations. While the industry has generally maintained a strong safety record, incidents involving smaller aircraft occasionally highlight the challenges of maintaining consistent safety standards across all segments of the aviation industry.

The DGCA has not yet released information about the flight crew’s experience or the maintenance history of the aircraft. Such details will likely form a critical part of the ongoing investigation, along with analysis of weather data, flight recorders, and witness accounts.

For the families of those who perished, the tragedy represents not only the loss of loved ones but also the devastating end of what was meant to be a life-saving medical journey. Local authorities have indicated that support services are being arranged for the bereaved families as they cope with the sudden loss.