NEW DELHI (AP) — An air ambulance operated by Redbird Airways Pvt. Ltd. tragically crashed into a dense forest in eastern India, resulting in the deaths of all seven individuals on board. This devastating incident occurred shortly after the Beechcraft C90 took off from Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state, on Monday. According to statements from the country's aviation watchdog, the aircraft lost control just minutes into its flight.
The ill-fated flight was transporting a critically ill burn patient to New Delhi for advanced medical treatment. Accompanying the patient were a doctor, a paramedic, and two family members. The other two individuals on the flight were the pilot and co-pilot, all of whom perished in the crash.
Senior local official Keerthishree G. confirmed to The Associated Press from the accident site that all seven persons on board did not survive and that their bodies have been sent for postmortem examinations. Local authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, with initial suspicions indicating that the aircraft may have lost control due to turbulence associated with adverse weather conditions.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before witnessing smoke rising from the heavily forested area, prompting an immediate response from local authorities who rushed to the scene of the tragedy. This incident not only highlights the dire consequences associated with air travel during adverse weather but also raises further concerns about aviation safety, particularly in regions characterized by challenging terrain.
Air ambulances are commonly used throughout India to facilitate the transfer of critically ill patients from smaller cities to larger medical centers, underscoring the importance of these services in the nation's healthcare system. However, this accident has reignited discussions regarding the safety protocols and operational standards for air ambulances, especially in precarious weather conditions.
This incident occurs just weeks after another private plane crash in western India, which claimed the lives of all five passengers on board, including a senior state official. Such tragic events raise serious questions about the security measures in place for aviation operations under adverse circumstances.
A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is being dispatched to further investigate the accident's cause, as authorities seek to understand the details surrounding this unfortunate event. The implications of these findings will likely play a crucial role in shaping future aviation safety protocols in India.
