Ranchi, February 24 An investigation is underway to determine the main factors behind the crash of an air ambulance, which claimed seven lives, at Simaria in the Chatra district of Jharkhand, an official said on Tuesday.
Ranchi Airport Director Vinod Kumar said inclement weather could be a reason for the crash, although the exact cause can only be determined after a thorough investigation, which is currently underway.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) claimed to have issued a warning of lightning strikes and thunderstorms in the state's central and northwest region for Monday evening.
"According to our forecast, the central and northwest region, including Hazaribag, Koderma, and Bokaro, experienced lightning strikes and thunderstorms. We do not know the actual cause of the aircraft crash, but there was a weather warning for that region," said Baburaj P P, head of the Ranchi Meteorological Centre.
The airport director said there was no weather warning for Ranchi when the aircraft took off from Birsa Munda Airport at 7:11 pm.
"All conditions, including weather, are considered when granting permission to fly. The weather conditions in Ranchi were favorable at that time," Kumar told
