7 killed after medical transport plane crashes in India
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NEW DELHI - Seven people were killed when a chartered air ambulance crashed in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, officials said on Feb 24.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the Beechcraft C90 operating a “medical evacuation (Air Ambulance) flight” crashed in the Kasaria area of the eastern state of Jharkhand on Feb 23.
Rescue and medical teams rushed to the site of the crash, which local media said was deep inside a difficult-to-access forest.
“The team of doctors found them, and declared them dead,” local administrative official Keerthishree G told reporters, adding that two of the seven people killed were crew members.
The aircraft operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd had taken off in the evening of Feb 23 from Ranchi, capital of Jharkhand, and was flying to Delhi carrying a patient and medical staff.
“The aircraft requested for deviation due to weather” and lost contact with air traffic radar in 23 minutes, DCGA said.
India’s aircraft accident investigation bureau had also been sent to the site.
In January, a state leader from the western Maharashtra state and four others were killed when their chartered aircraft crashed while landing at the city of Baramati. AFP
