New Delhi: A medical charter plane carrying seven individuals lost radar contact shortly after its departure from Ranchi Airport on Monday evening, as reported by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft King Air (BE9L), was operated by Redbird Airways and was en route from Ranchi to Delhi. It took off at 7:07 PM and lost contact approximately 27 minutes later, around 7:34 PM, near Palamu in northwestern Jharkhand.

The passengers included one patient, a doctor, a paramedic, two attendants, the pilot, and the co-pilot.

Rescue operations are currently underway, with further details still pending.

DGCA sources confirmed that the charter plane vanished from radar shortly after leaving Ranchi Airport.

The flight was expected to land in Delhi by 10 PM, but contact was lost with Air Traffic Control at 7:34 PM.

Search efforts are focused in the Kasiyatu forest area of Simaria, where the crash is believed to have occurred.

In a related note, the preliminary report regarding the Learjet 45 crash in Baramati, which resulted in the deaths of NCP leader Ajit Pawar and four others, is anticipated to be released by February 28, according to Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol.

Mohol stated to reporters that the preliminary findings will be available within one month of the incident, which took place on January 28.

The Civil Aviation Ministry emphasized its commitment to transparency, safety oversight, and accountability, urging stakeholders to avoid speculation and allow the investigation to proceed according to established protocols.

As per ICAO regulations, the preliminary report on the Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) crash must be published within 30 days of the accident, with a final report to follow subsequently.