Medical Charter Plane Disappears from Radar in Ranchi: There was a stir in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, when a charter plane suddenly disappeared from the radar. Birsa Munda Airport The plane lost contact shortly after takeoff. According to sources in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the plane flew normally after takeoff, but within a few minutes it disappeared from the radar. After this, an alert was immediately issued and search and emergency protocols were activated. However, later the news of the plane crashing came to light.
According to sources, it was a medical flight, which established contact with the next air traffic station after take off. As per the procedure, control was handed over to the next station, but after that suddenly contact with the aircraft was lost. the plane again Ranchi Airport Did not contact, due to which the situation became more serious.
What did DGCA say?
- According to DGCA. A Beechcraft C90 aircraft (registration VT-AJV) of Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, which was on a medical evacuation (air ambulance) flight from Ranchi to Delhi, crashed in Kasariya Panchayat, Jharkhand on 23 February. A total of seven people including two crew members were on board the plane.
- The plane took off from Birsa Munda Airport at 7:11 pm (IST). After establishing contact with Kolkata ATC, the aircraft sought permission for deviation due to bad weather.
- At 7:34 pm (IST), both the aircraft’s contact with Kolkata and its radar signal were suddenly lost. The final location of the plane is said to be about 100 nautical miles south-east of Varanasi.
Why is this incident considered very serious?
- The incident of medical charter plane disappearing from radar is considered very serious. This matter is also sensitive because the plane was on a medical mission and such planes are generally considered to be associated with emergency services.
- The incident occurred soon after takeoff from Birsa Munda Airport, when the aircraft established initial contact but lost contact completely after Air Traffic Control (ATC) handover.
- According to aviation rules, when an aircraft moves from one air traffic zone to another, control is handed over to the next station. If contact is lost during this process, it is considered a potential emergency. In such cases, immediate search and rescue (SAR) operation is conducted, nearby radar is checked, and military and civil agencies are alerted.
- In the past, some small planes and helicopters have gone missing or crashed in India due to bad weather, technical fault or communication failure. Therefore, in this incident also, technical problem, navigation failure, weather or any other emergency reason is being investigated.
- At present, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the state administration are jointly monitoring the situation. Until the plane is located, it will be considered a high-priority aviation emergency.
What could be the reason for the disappearance of the plane?
- Technical Failure: Due to malfunction in the aircraft’s communication system, transponder or engine, contact with radar and ATC can be lost. Such incidents are considered more risky in small charter planes.
- Bad weather or visibility: Due to sudden change in weather, dense clouds, storm or strong winds, the aircraft may deviate from its path or the system may be affected.
- Navigation or Pilot Emergency: Due to ill health of the pilot, lack of oxygen or sudden problem in the cockpit, communication can also be lost.
- Communication handover error: Failure to set frequency or signal problems during control transfer from one ATC to another may result in an aircraft going into ‘radio silence’.
- Possibility of forced landing or crash: If the aircraft has to make an emergency landing for some reason, it may disappear from the radar. In such a situation, the search operation is started immediately.
What has happened till now?
- Medical charter plane took off from Birsa Munda Airport
- Contact established with next ATC station after takeoff
- Control handed over to next station
- Contact with the aircraft was lost soon after.
- Emergency protocol implemented in case of disappearance from radar
- Information to state government and agencies, search operation started
How does a plane disappear from radar?
- Radar relies on transponder signals to track aircraft. If the transponder stops or malfunctions, the aircraft may disappear from the screen.
- Radar coverage may be weak in mountainous areas, low altitude or remote areas.
- Sometimes the aircraft is present, but only contact is lost. This is called ‘lost communication’.
- In this matter also, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other agencies are investigating from every angle, because being a medical flight, the matter becomes more sensitive.
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