6 Injured After Small Plane Crash-Lands Near Rourkela in Odisha, Probe Ordered

At least six people were injured after a small passenger aircraft crash-landed in Odisha on Saturday during an emergency landing near Rourkela, officials said. The incident involved a nine-seater aircraft operated by IndiaOne Air, which was flying from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela.

According to official information, the aircraft, a Cessna Grand Caravan 208B with registration number VT-KSS, departed Bhubaneswar at around 12:25 pm carrying two pilots and four passengers. While approaching Rourkela, the crew encountered a technical issue and declared a MAYDAY call to air traffic control at approximately 1:14 pm.

Moments later, the pilots executed a controlled forced landing in an open area near Jalda/Kansor, around 15 to 20 kilometres short of Rourkela airport. Aviation officials said the timely decision and skilled handling of the aircraft helped prevent a fatal outcome.

Controlled Landing Prevents Loss of Life

Authorities confirmed that all six occupants sustained injuries but none were life-threatening. Three passengers were admitted to JP Hospital in Rourkela, while the two pilots and one passenger were taken to Rourkela Government Hospital. Hospital sources said all the injured are stable and under medical observation.

District administration teams rushed to the crash site soon after receiving information about the emergency landing. Local officials coordinated with medical services to ensure swift evacuation and treatment of the injured.

Investigation Ordered

The incident has been reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. As per standard aviation protocol, a detailed technical investigation has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the emergency landing.

Officials from the Odisha Directorate of Civil Aviation said the state government is closely monitoring the situation and extending all required support through the district administration.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the incident and directed officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured passengers and crew. State Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena also took stock of the situation and said there was no need for panic.

The minister confirmed that the aircraft crash-landed before reaching Rourkela airport and reiterated that safety measures would be reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

IndiaOne Air is expected to issue an official statement after preliminary findings are available. Meanwhile, aviation authorities have begun collecting flight data, pilot inputs and technical records as part of the investigation.