Why Does Jharkhand Keep Having Aviation Accidents? A Look at 18 Years of Near Misses

The recent air ambulance crash in Chatra, Jharkhand, which tragically claimed the lives of all seven people on board, has reopened old wounds and raised serious questions about aviation safety in the state. Over the past 18 years, Jharkhand has seen at least six major aviation incidents, including some where the state's top leaders had narrow escapes.

Here is a look back at the history of these harrowing moments in the sky.

1. 2008: Babulal Marandi’s Emergency Landing

Former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi had a close call in 2008 when his helicopter developed a technical snag in Bokaro. The pilot managed an emergency landing, and fortunately, everyone on board escaped without injury.

2. 2010: Arjun Munda’s Khunti Scare

In 2010, the then-Chief Minister Arjun Munda faced a similar situation. Bad weather and technical issues forced his helicopter to make an emergency landing in Khunti. Again, a major tragedy was averted by the pilot’s quick thinking.

3. 2022: Hemant Soren’s Precautionary Landing

Fast forward to 2022, and it was Chief Minister Hemant Soren who faced trouble in the air. Shortly after taking off from Ranchi, the pilot suspected a technical glitch. Erring on the side of caution, the helicopter returned for an emergency landing, ensuring the CM’s safety.

4. 2022: Private Helicopter Crash in Godda

Later that same year, a private helicopter crashed in Godda. Unlike the high-profile CM flights, this was a private operation. While the scale of the crash was smaller, it added to the growing list of aviation concerns in the region.

5. 2023: Hard Landing in Deoghar

In 2023, a charter plane carrying passengers lost its balance while landing at the Deoghar airport. It was a "hard landing" that could have easily turned fatal, but luckily, all passengers walked away safe.

6. 2026: The Chatra Air Ambulance Tragedy

The most recent incident is the most heartbreaking. An air ambulance flying from Ranchi to Delhi crashed in Chatra around 7:30 PM. Seven people, including a patient and the crew, were killed. Bad weather is being cited as a primary reason, but the family of the victims is now asking: If the weather was bad, why was the flight given clearance to take off?

The Lingering Question

With six incidents in 18 years, the aviation safety record in Jharkhand is under intense scrutiny. Whether it's VIP flights or medical emergencies, the need for stricter safety audits and better weather monitoring has never been more urgent.

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