Ranchi-Delhi air ambulance crash: Director reveals plane lost contact with ATC 20 min after takeoff — what we know

A tragic incident unfolded on Monday evening when an air ambulance operated by Redbird Airways crashed shortly after takeoff from Ranchi, en route to Delhi. All seven people on board, including medical personnel and patients, lost their lives in the accident. The aircraft lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) approximately 20 minutes after takeoff and went down in a dense forested area near Simaria, Jharkhand. Rescue teams quickly mobilized to locate the wreckage amidst challenging terrain, but all efforts confirmed the fatalities. Investigators are now focusing on understanding the reasons behind the crash, with initial reports highlighting potential communication failures with ATC. This incident underscores the risks associated with air medical transport, a service that has grown rapidly in recent years to accommodate urgent patient transfers across India. The aviation sector has faced scrutiny over safety protocols, and this crash raises further questions about regulatory oversight in the industry. Families of the victims are mourning their loss as the investigation continues to unravel the circumstances that led to this devastating event.