New Delhi, March 26 A Beechcraft C90A aircraft, belonging to Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, crashed in Jharkhand on February 23 after being airborne for 17 minutes, according to a preliminary report by the AAIB, the investigating agency. The aircraft's emergency location transmitter did not activate.
In the fatal crash that killed seven people on board, the aircraft, VT-AJV, was destroyed, and the wreckage was found scattered in a forested area near Simaria in the Chatra district of Jharkhand.
The air ambulance flight from Ranchi to Delhi carried 2 pilots, 2 medical personnel, 1 patient, and 2 attendants.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) said the aircraft took off from Ranchi airport at 7:07 pm and 7:24 pm on February 23, with 830 litres of fuel.
On the same day, the aircraft also operated an air ambulance flight from Delhi to Ranchi, with the same crew. After the flight, the flight crew recorded "nil sang" in the flight log book.
"The aircraft was assigned to fly to Delhi via track 297° on route W109. However, while lining up on the runway, the aircraft requested ATC Ranchi to continue on the runway heading (track 313°) due to weather conditions.
"ATC Ranchi approved this request. The aircraft took off from Ranchi at 1337 UTC (7:07 pm IST)," the preliminary report said.
According to the report, at 1348 UTC (7:18 pm), the aircraft transmitted "Sir Request to Level off at Flight Level One Four Zero Victor Juliet Victor," requesting ATC Kolkata to level off at FL140, and ATC Kolkata approved the request.
At 1349 UTC (7:19 pm), ATC Kolkata asked the aircraft to report when in contact with Varanasi, to which the aircraft acknowledged. This was the last VHF communication between the aircraft and ATC Kolkata.
"Subsequently, no transmission from VT-AJV was received by ATC Kolkata. Subsequently, ATC Kolkata tried to contact VT-AJV but did not receive any response. The Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) Kolkata activated the Uncertainty Phase at 1428 UTC (2:28 pm). Later, the District Administration, Chatra, was informed of the aircraft accident by locals. The aircraft crashed at approximately 1354 UTC (7:24 pm)," the report said.
AAIB also said that the aircraft's Emergency Location Transmitter (ELT) did not activate.
As part of the investigation, AAIB collected a fuel sample from the refueller at Ranchi and submitted it to a fuel testing laboratory for examination.
The investigation team also visited the Ranchi and Kolkata ATC facilities to collect crucial evidence and records. During the visit, interviews and discussions were held with ATCOs (Air Traffic Control Officers), WSOs (Watch Supervisory Officers), and MET (Meteorological) personnel and handlers.
"Information on weather conditions from IMD offices at Ranchi Airport, Patna Airport, Raipur Airport, and Kolkata Airport has been sought, and the analysis is in progress," it added.
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