Skip to content

Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube

About Us
Contact Us
Advertisement

About Us
Contact Us
Advertisement

Aviation Newsletter

WhatsApp Channel

Search

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

Search

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
About Us

News

Civil Aviation

Pilot Training

Flight School Analysis

Aviation Jobs

Training

Services

About Us

Contact Us

Search

fatal air crash

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 […]

Bogota, Colombia: Colombian music popular singer-songwriter Yeison Jiménez, 34, was killed Saturday afternoon in a small aircraft crash while en route to a concert in Medellín, officials and his representatives confirmed. All six people aboard the plane died when the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff in the Boyacá region, authorities said. The Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics reported that a Piper PA-31-325 Navajo bearing registration N325FA departed from Juan José Rondón Airport in Paipa bound for Olaya Herrera Airport in Medellín. The aircraft failed to gain altitude and came down in a rural area between Paipa and Duitama late Saturday afternoon. Jiménez was among the six victims. The others onboard were identified as pilot Captain Fernando Torres, team members Jefferson Osorio, Juan Manuel Rodríguez and Óscar Marín, and Jiménez’s longtime photographer, Weisman Mora. In a statement shared on social media, Jiménez’s team mourned the loss and described him not only as a prominent artist but as a “son, brother, friend and a human being full of dreams and courage.” The statement expressed gratitude for the support from fans and asked for privacy for the families during this time of grief. Colombian authorities have launched formal inquiries into the crash. The Technical Directorate for Accident Investigation is conducting the technical aviation investigation, while the Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía) has opened a parallel criminal inquiry, a standard procedure in fatal aviation accidents, to determine whether any legal issues arose in connection with the flight. Officials have not yet released a preliminary cause of the crash. Forensic teams have transferred the victims’ remains to Bogotá for identification and autopsy in line with legal protocols. Caldas, Jiménez rose from humble beginnings to become one of Colombia’s most popular figures in the música popular genre, a style rooted in regional folk traditions meshed with Mexican influences. He achieved significant milestones, including selling out Bogotá’s Movistar Arena multiple times in 2024 and becoming the first Colombian artist in his genre to sell out El Campín Stadium in 2025. His wife and three children are still alive. Fans and fellow artists across Latin America have been sharing condolences and tributes on social media following the news of his death.

Aircraft Crashes

Fatal Colombia Aircraft Crash Kills Six People Including Popular Singer Yeison Jiménez

Aviation Today News Desk / January 12, 2026

Bogota, Colombia: Colombian music popular singer-songwriter Yeison Jiménez, 34, was killed Saturday afternoon in a small aircraft crash while en

Tbilisi, Georgia: A Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules military cargo aircraft crashed in eastern Georgia on Tuesday, killing all 20 military personnel onboard, according to Turkish and Georgian authorities. The aircraft was en route from Ganja, Azerbaijan, to Turkey when it went down in the Kakheti region near the Azerbaijan–Georgia border. The Lockheed C-130, a four-engine turboprop transport aircraft, reportedly lost contact with air traffic control shortly after entering Georgian airspace. Witnesses in the Sighnaghi Municipality described seeing the plane on fire before it crashed into hilly terrain. Rescue teams from Georgia’s Emergency Management Service and Turkish military units launched a joint search and recovery operation, later confirming that no survivors were found among the 20 people onboard. Georgia’s Interior Ministry said debris was scattered across a wide area, indicating the aircraft may have broken apart mid-air before impact. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with both countries cooperating on a joint technical inquiry. Preliminary assessments suggest the aircraft might have experienced an in-flight fire or catastrophic mechanical failure, though officials have not yet confirmed this. The Turkish Defence Ministry confirmed the tragedy, stating,“We have lost 20 of our heroic personnel aboard a military transport plane during duty. Search and rescue efforts have been completed in coordination with Georgian authorities.” Turkey has dispatched a high-level investigation team to Georgia, including defence and aviation safety experts, to coordinate recovery and analysis efforts. The governments of Azerbaijan and Georgia both expressed solidarity with Turkey. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev conveyed condolences to Erdoğan, stating,“We share the sorrow of our Turkish brothers and stand by them in this difficult time.” Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also confirmed his country’s full cooperation with Turkish officials in the investigation, adding that emergency response units “arrived at the site within minutes of reports of the crash.” The downed C-130 was reportedly an older model that had served in the Turkish Air Force for decades. The aircraft type, known for its durability and versatility, is used globally for military transport and humanitarian aid missions.

Aircraft Crashes

All 20 Onboard Killed As Turkish Military C-130 Cargo Plane Crashes In Eastern Georgia

Aviation Today News Desk / November 12, 2025

Tbilisi, Georgia: A Turkish Air Force C-130 Hercules military cargo aircraft crashed in eastern Georgia on Tuesday, killing all 20

Dagestan, Russia: A Russian Ka-226 light utility helicopter operated by Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant (KEMZ) crashed in the Republic of Dagestan on Friday, after catching fire mid-air, killing at least five people, including senior officials of the defense manufacturer. The helicopter, registered RA-19307, was flying from Kizlyar to Izberbash on November 7 when it reportedly caught fire while airborne near the village of Achi-Su, close to the Caspian Sea. videos circulating on Russian and international media show the aircraft’s tail section detaching as it spun uncontrollably before slamming into the ground and erupting into flames. According to a statement by the plant, the dead included KEMZ’s deputy general director, chief engineer, and chief designer. Two other employees who were initially reported injured also succumbed to their injuries, KEMZ, part of the Rostec defense conglomerate, manufactures the Ka-226 multipurpose helicopter used by Russian armed forces and civilian operators. Video evidence reviewed by multiple outlets shows the pilot struggling to stabilize the aircraft after its tail rotor failed mid-air. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter hover momentarily before the fuselage ignited and fell to the ground. The aircraft crashed into an unoccupied private house, causing no ground casualties, regional authorities confirmed. Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) classified the event as a “disaster” and opened an inquiry into possible violations of flight-safety regulations. The Investigative Committee of Russia has launched a separate criminal probe into potential breaches of airworthiness and maintenance procedures. Preliminary assessments suggest a mechanical or structural failure in the tail section may have triggered the inflight breakup. Experts also noted that ongoing sanctions have limited access to certain aviation components, raising maintenance and reliability concerns across several Russian aircraft fleets. The pilot appeared to have continued flight despite visible structural damage before attempting an emergency landing. Aviation analysts have called the decision “questionable,” given the apparent loss of tail-rotor control, which is critical for helicopter stability. The Kamov Ka-226 is a twin-engine, light utility helicopter designed for reconnaissance, medical evacuation, and transport missions. Known for its coaxial rotor configuration, the type has been in service since the late 1990s and is produced by KEMZ under license. The same model was previously involved in several non-fatal incidents linked to gearbox and rotor-system issues. Authorities have not yet released the flight data or cockpit voice recorders, and the investigation is expected to continue in coordination with Russia’s Interstate Aviation Committee.

Helicopter Crash

Five Dead As Russian Ka-226 Helicopter Breaks Apart And Crashes In Dagestan

Aviation Today News Desk / November 10, 2025

Dagestan, Russia: A Russian Ka-226 light utility helicopter operated by Kizlyar Electromechanical Plant (KEMZ) crashed in the Republic of Dagestan

Kenya, Africa: A light aircraft carrying 12 people, including foreign tourists, crashed on Tuesday morning in a hilly, forested area of Kwale County, Kenya, while en route from Diani to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has confirmed the aircraft had 12 occupants on board. According to a statement released by the KCAA, “The aircraft had 12 persons on board.” The regulator said emergency response teams and investigators from various government agencies have been dispatched to the scene to assess the situation and determine the cause of the crash. “Investigations are underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident,” the Authority added. Later Mombasa Air Safari chairman John Cleave confirmed the tragic accident, stating that the aircraft had 11 passengers: eight Hungarians, two Germans along with a Kenyan captain. “Sadly, there are no survivors,” he said in an official statement. Cleave added that the airline had activated its emergency response team and was working closely with local authorities. “Our hearts and prayers are with all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” the statement concluded. The aircraft, believed to be a Cessna Caravan registered 5Y-CCA and operated by Mombasa Air Safari, reportedly went down around 40 kilometers from Diani Airstrip shortly after take-off. Local witnesses described hearing a loud explosion before discovering wreckage engulfed in flames on a remote hillside near the village of Vuga. Photographs from the crash site show burnt remains of the fuselage scattered in dense vegetation. Local police and rescue teams reached the area hours later, with early reports indicating that there were no signs of survivors. Most of the occupants were foreign tourists heading to the Maasai Mara for a safari holiday. KCAA officials said the aircraft was on a scheduled charter flight to Kichwa Tembo Airstrip in the Maasai Mara, a popular tourist destination. Adverse weather and low visibility have been cited by local sources as possible contributing factors, although investigators have yet to confirm the cause. “The government is working closely with KCAA, the Kenya Airports Authority, and local law enforcement to manage the situation,” a Kwale County official said. Authorities are expected to issue a comprehensive statement once recovery operations and identification processes conclude.

Aircraft Crashes

Plane Carrying Tourists To Maasai Mara Crashes In Kenya, At Least 11 Reported Dead

Aviation Today News Desk / October 29, 2025

Kenya, Africa: A light aircraft carrying foreign tourists, crashed on Tuesday in a hilly, forested area of Kwale County, Kenya,

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

Search

About Us
Latest News
Aviation Today Perspectives
Aviation Jobs
Contact Us
Advertisement

Aviation Newsletter

Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube