At least six individuals, including four passengers and two crew members, sustained injuries when a nine-seater aircraft performed an emergency crash landing in a field around 10 km from the Rourkela airstrip in Odisha. The incident involved an IndiaOne Air aircraft, specifically a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan EX (Registration VT-KSS), which was on a routine regional flight from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar when it encountered a critical technical issue just before landing.
Local authorities confirmed that the occupants of the aircraft were four passengers and two crew members, and the plane managed to land safely. The pilot, however, suffered severe injuries and was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Following a technical malfunction reported by the pilot moments before the scheduled landing, emergency procedures were promptly activated upon alerting the air traffic control, as stated by a senior district official. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed worry over the event and instructed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the victims.
Nearby villagers were quick to respond, aiding in rescuing the trapped passengers from the wreckage. Police teams and medical personnel from Rourkela arrived at the scene shortly after to transfer the injured to a local government hospital. While the four passengers are in stable condition with minor injuries, the pilot’s condition was described as critical.
Experts in aviation highlighted that the pilot’s decision to guide the aircraft towards open ground likely averted a more significant disaster. Debris from the crash has been secured for investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
