A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) arrived in Rourkela early Sunday to begin a detailed probe into the forced landing of an IndiaOne Air aircraft the previous day. The investigation was launched under the supervision of state transport secretary Usha Padhee.
All On Board Escape With Minor Injuries
The single-engine Cessna Caravan aircraft was forced to land in an agricultural field at Kainser village in Odisha's Sundargarh district on Saturday afternoon. In a fortunate turn of events, all six individuals on board, including the two captains, escaped with only minor injuries. The pilots were identified as Naveen Kadanga and Tarun Srivastava, whose condition was reported as stable.
On-Site Investigation and Aerial Survey
Upon reaching the accident site, the AAIB personnel, accompanied by Padhee, conducted a thorough examination. They documented the scene extensively by taking photographs and videos of the aircraft and scattered debris from multiple angles. The crash site was secured and cordoned off to preserve evidence, with plane parts found within a 50-metre radius. The team collected samples and inspected the aircraft meticulously.
"The AAIB team also conducted an aerial survey of the area," Padhee informed the media. She expressed gratitude to local villagers for their immediate help in rescuing the passengers and crew.
Medical Response and Passenger Details
The state government has been actively monitoring the situation. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed authorities to provide all possible assistance. A special state-level medical team was formed to oversee the treatment of the injured. Two specialist doctors were also brought in to assist.
Transport Secretary Usha Padhee visited the hospital to check on the injured. Among the passengers was Susanta Kumar Biswal, who was returning to Rourkela with his sister Anita Sahu after a visit to Bhubaneswar for his pre-existing heart and kidney conditions. Two other passengers, Sunil Agarwal and his wife Sabita, who were initially treated at a private hospital in Rourkela, were airlifted to Mumbai on Sunday via two separate air ambulances for further care.
While hundreds of locals gathered near the site on Sunday out of curiosity, police maintained a perimeter to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.
