Skip to content

Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube

About Us
Contact Us
Advertisement

About Us
Contact Us
Advertisement

Aviation Newsletter

WhatsApp Channel

Search

News
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Civil Aviation
Aviation Jobs
Training
Services
More

News
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Civil Aviation
Aviation Jobs
Training
Services
More

Search

News
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Civil Aviation
Aviation Jobs
Training
Services
More

News
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Civil Aviation
Aviation Jobs
Training
Services
More

News

Civil Aviation

Pilot Training

Flight School Analysis

Aviation Jobs

Training

Services

About Us

Contact Us

Search

AAIB probe

Redbird Airways Air Ambulance Crashes In Jharkhand’s Chatra Forest, All 7 Onboard Killed SEO DES: Officials confirmed all seven fatalities, including two pilots, a doctor, paramedic, attendants and a burn patient being transported for advanced treatment SOCIAL: An air ambulance operated by Redbird Airways crashed in the forested Simaria area of Chatra district, Jharkhand, on February 23, killing all seven people onboard. The Beechcraft C90 (VT-AJV) had departed Ranchi for Delhi at 7:11 pm and lost Kolkata ATC and radar contact about 20 minutes after takeoff amid reported bad weather. A radar replay indicated the last contact at 7:22 pm, around 100 nautical miles south-east of Varanasi, with no subsequent contact with Varanasi or Lucknow ATC. Wreckage was later found in dense forest terrain, complicating rescue efforts. Officials, including the Chatra Deputy Commissioner and police, confirmed all seven fatalities, including two pilots, a doctor, paramedic, attendants and a burn patient being transported for advanced treatment. The DGCA and AAIB have launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash. Chatra, India: An air ambulance flying from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in the forested terrain of Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on the evening of February 23, killing all seven people on board, officials confirmed. The aircraft, a Beechcraft C90 (VT‑AJV) operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd on a medical evacuation mission, departed Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi at 7:11 pm IST, bound for Delhi. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft established contact with Kolkata Air Traffic Control (ATC) at around 7:34 pm, about 20–23 minutes after take‑off. Shortly after that, it lost both communication and radar contact. After losing contact with Kolkata, VT-AJV did not come in contact with either Varanasi air traffic control (ATC) or the Lucknow ATC. A Varanasi radar replay was carried out, following which the last radar contact was recorded at 7:22pm, it was approximately 100 nautical miles south‑east of Varanasi before the aircraft went off radar. Local administration and police launched search and rescue operations once the aircraft was reported missing. The wreckage was located in the Kasaria/Bariatu Panchayat area of Simaria, deep within a densely forested region of Chatra district. The site posed significant challenges due to rough terrain, slowing initial access by rescue teams, officials said. Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G told news agency PTI that all seven occupants were killed in the crash. Sub‑Divisional Police Officer Shubham Khandelwal confirmed to PTI that all seven bodies have been recovered from the site. Ranchi Airport Director Vinod Kumar, speaking to PTI, said the aircraft lost ATC contact roughly 20 minutes after take‑off and that inclement weather was being investigated as a possible factor. Sources and official statements confirmed the identities of the victims: Captain Vivek Vikas Bhagat – Pilot‑in‑Command Captain Savrajdeep Singh – Co‑Pilot Sanjay Kumar (41) – Patient; resident of Chandwa, Latehar district; burn injuries (65 %) Dr. Vikas Kumar Gupta – Medical doctor Sachin Kumar Mishra – Paramedic Archana Devi – Attendant Dhuru Kumar – Attendant The air ambulance was transporting Sanjay Kumar for advanced treatment in Delhi, having been treated at Devkamal Hospital in Ranchi after sustaining severe burn injuries. Initial reports from officials and residents in the crash region described stormy weather, strong winds and rainfall at the time of the incident. Authorities suggest that adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the loss of contact and eventual crash, but stressed that the exact cause will only be determined after a formal investigation. The DGCA has stated that an Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) team has been dispatched to the site to begin a detailed probe into the circumstances leading to the accident. The investigation will include analysis of flight data, radar logs and weather conditions at the time of the crash. Redbird Airways was founded by Akshay Kumar in 2018 and received its air operator permit to serve non-scheduled flights (charters and air ambulances) in August 2019. The company provides air ambulance services round the clock for medical evacuation, according to its website. It said the aircraft comes with advanced life-saving equipment, including doctors, attendants, etc. As per information available on the official website of Redbird Airways, the operator maintains a fleet of seven aircraft, including the King Air C90 that was involved in the crash in Chatra on Monday night. The company’s fleet comprises the Embraer Legacy 600, Dassault Falcon 2000, Hawker 850XP, Beechcraft Premier 1, Cessna Citation III-650, Cessna Citation XL560, and the King Air C90. Political leaders and public figures have expressed condolences. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren took to social media to extend sympathy to the families of the deceased and prayed for strength in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Aircraft Crashes

Redbird Airways Air Ambulance Crashes In Jharkhand’s Chatra Forest, All 7 Onboard Killed

Aviation Today News Desk / February 24, 2026

Chatra, India: An air ambulance flying from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in the forested terrain of Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra […]

Redbird Academy C172 Aircraft Breaks Into 3 Pieces; Instructor & Trainee Pilot Injured SEO DES: The Civil Aviation Ministry suspects fuel starvation may have caused the crash of the over 50-year-old Redbird C172 trainer aircraft in Karnataka SOCIAL: A Redbird Flight Training Academy Cessna 172 crash-landed in an open field in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district during a cross-country training flight from Kalaburagi to Belagavi, injuring both the instructor and trainee pilot. The aircraft reportedly experienced a mid-air malfunction, forcing an emergency landing near Mangaluru village in Babaleshwar taluk. Local residents were the first to reach the site, while police and emergency services responded shortly after. Both pilots were shifted to BLDE Hospital and are in stable condition. Initial reports pointed to engine trouble, though aviation sources later indicated possible fuel starvation or inadequate fuel planning. The DGCA and AAIB have launched an investigation into the incident. Vijayapura, India: A private training aircraft operated by Redbird Flight Training Academy crash-landed in an open field in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district on Sunday afternoon, leaving the captain and a trainee pilot injured, officials said. The two-seater aircraft, identified as a Redbird Cessna 172 registered VT-EUC, was on a cross-country training flight from Kalaburagi to Belagavi when it experienced a mid-air malfunction, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing in a field near Mangaluru village in Babaleshwar taluk. According to Vijayapura Superintendent of Police Laxman Nimbargi, local farmers and field workers were among the first to respond after the aircraft came down between 2:30 PM and 2:40 PM. Both occupants Captain Kunal Malhotra, an Assistant Flight Instructor, and trainee pilot Goutham Sankar P.R. reportedly managed to exit the aircraft before impact. The aircraft overturned on landing, with preliminary reports indicating that it broke into 3 pieces upon touching down in the agricultural land. Police and emergency services were quickly on the scene, and a fire engine was deployed as a precaution. Both pilots sustained injuries in the crash and were promptly airlifted by a 108 ambulance to BLDE Hospital in Vijayapura for treatment. Doctors described their injuries as serious but stable, and neither condition is believed to be life-threatening. A police source confirmed that no fatalities were reported and that the quick response of local residents helped prevent further harm. The Civil Aviation Minister said in a statement that fuel starvation or inadequate fuel planning may have contributed to the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been notified and is expected to lead a detailed investigation into the crash, reviewing aircraft maintenance records, flight planning documentation, and other operational parameters. Aviation safety authorities, including the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will also investigate the incident. The Cessna 172 involved in the incident is reported to be over 50 years old, with its certificate of registration and airworthiness both valid at the time of the accident. Redbird Flight Training Academy, which operates a fleet of training aircraft, holds approval from the DGCA to conduct pilot training operations. Redbird’s Previous Training Aircraft Incidents: December 8, 2025: Near Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, a Redbird training aircraft hit a high-voltage power line while preparing to land, crashing into a field and injuring both the instructor and trainee pilot. August 9, 2025: Near Baramati Airport in Pune, a Redbird Flight Training Centre trainer aircraft crash-landed after a tyre issue caused the front wheel to detach on touchdown, the trainee pilot escaped unhurt. May 30, 2025: At the Suktara airstrip in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, a Redbird Aviation training aircraft overturned during landing, the trainee pilot escaped injury. October 19 & 22, 2023: First incident at Baramati Airfield in Maharashtra, a Redbird Aviation Tecnam P2008JC aircraft (VT-RBC) crashed while carrying out circuit landing training after developing a technical snag, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing just outside the airfield boundary. The second incident occurred near Baramati, Maharashtra, a Redbird Aviation Tecnam P2008JPC aircraft (VT-RBT), operating a sector training flight with an assistant flight instructor and a student on board, suffered an engine failure and crash-landed, toppling after touchdown. June 25, 2023: In Kalaburagi, Karnataka, a Redbird Flight Training Academy two-seater trainer aircraft made an emergency landing on agricultural land after a technical glitch during a training flight, with no casualties. May 30, 2023: In Honnihala village near Belagavi, a Redbird two-seater trainer aircraft made an emergency crash-landing on farmland due to a technical glitch, and both pilots escaped with minor injuries.

Aircraft Crashes

Redbird Academy C172 Aircraft Breaks Into 3 Pieces; Instructor & Trainee Pilot Injured

Aviation Today News Desk / February 9, 2026

Vijayapura, India: A private training aircraft operated by Redbird Flight Training Academy crash-landed in an open field in Karnataka’s Vijayapura

Littleborough, United Kingdom: Two men have died after a private light aircraft crashed in farmland near Littleborough, in the Rochdale district of Greater Manchester, police confirmed on Tuesday. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said emergency services were called to reports of the incident shortly after 11 a.m. GMT on 3 February 2026. The crash occurred in a rural area close to Hollingworth Lake and Blackstone Edge, not far from the M62 motorway. Officers and paramedics quickly arrived on scene, supported by fire crews and specialist investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). GMP confirmed the bodies of two men were found at the site and were pronounced dead by emergency responders. Preliminary data from flight-tracking services indicate the aircraft involved was a Cirrus SR20, a single-engine four-seat light aircraft commonly used in private and general aviation. The plane had reportedly departed Birmingham Airport’s XLR Executive Jet Centre at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday. It was tracked flying for approximately 40 minutes before its transponder signal stopped south of the M62 near Marsden, West Yorkshire, shortly before the crash. There were no other passengers on board, and there have been no confirmed injuries on the ground. Police established a secure perimeter around the crash site while emergency personnel conducted searches and evidence recovery. Road closures were in place in the immediate vicinity, and residents and visitors were asked to avoid the area to allow investigative work to continue. Images circulating on social media and confirmed by official statements show a yellow parachute canopy entangled on an electricity pylon near the scene. The Cirrus aircraft type involved is fitted with a Ballistic Recovery System (BRS), designed to deploy a whole-aircraft parachute in emergencies. At this stage, investigators have not provided a definitive explanation of whether the parachute was deliberately deployed by the pilot or triggered by impact forces. A National Grid spokesman said its engineers were on site supporting the emergency services, and there was no disruption to the local power supply. Chief Superintendent Danny Inglis, district commander for GMP’s Rochdale division, described the incident as “a devastating incident where two people have lost their lives,” and extended condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. He added that officers would remain at the scene into the following days to support investigators and collect evidence. The AAIB confirmed that it has launched a formal investigation into the accident and has deployed a multidisciplinary team of inspectors to examine wreckage, flight data, and other relevant materials. The regulatory body typically issues a preliminary report in the weeks following an accident and a full report in due course, depending on the complexity of the findings.

Aircraft Crashes

2 Confirmed Dead After Light Aircraft Crashes Near Littleborough In Greater Manchester

Aviation Today News Desk / February 4, 2026

Littleborough, United Kingdom: Two men have died after a private light aircraft crashed in farmland near Littleborough, in the Rochdale

Follow Us

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in X-twitter Youtube

AVIATION TODAY brings the latest in aviation and aims to cater information to professionals and Aviation Enthusiasts about the Industry.

Quick Links

About Us
Contact Us
Services
Advertise
FAQ

Navigate

Latest News
Civil Aviation
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Aviation Jobs
Training

General Support

info@aviationtoday.in

News Desk Support

news@aviationtoday.in

Follow Us

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in X-twitter Youtube

© Copyright 2026 Aviation Today. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer

error: Unauthorized copying is not permitted

Search

About Us
News
Pilot Training
Civil Aviation
Flight School Analysis
Aviation Jobs
Training
Services
More
Contact Us
Advertisement

Aviation Newsletter

Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube