Authorities have launched an investigation into the fatal crash of an air ambulance in Jharkhand that claimed seven lives on Monday evening.

The aircraft, a Beechcraft C90 operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd, was en route from Ranchi to Delhi when it crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft, bearing registration VT-AJV, was carrying five passengers and two crew members at the time of the incident. All seven onboard were killed.

Officials said multiple factors are being examined to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary assessments indicate that weather conditions at the time of departure will be a key focus of the probe. However, investigators cautioned that no definitive conclusions have been reached so far.

A senior official familiar with the matter stated that technical aspects of the aircraft, pilot inputs, air traffic control communication, and meteorological data are all being reviewed as part of standard investigation procedures.

The crash has sent shockwaves through the aviation and medical communities, given that the aircraft was operating as an air ambulance. Authorities are expected to release further details once initial findings are compiled.