In a harrowing account of survival, Sunil Agarwal, a passenger who endured the forced landing of a nine-seater IndiaOne Air flight alongside his wife, has expressed profound gratitude to God while lauding the pilots for their remarkable composure and expertise during a critical mid-air emergency.
A Terrifying Mid-Air Ordeal
The incident unfolded on January 10 when Agarwal, 40, a resident of Bhubaneswar, and his wife Sabita, 35, were traveling to Rourkela to attend an event. Their flight from Bhubaneswar developed a severe technical snag, plunging the aircraft into a perilous situation. Agarwal recounted to TOI that once the aircraft's fan and engine ceased functioning, "the plane turned into a glider," highlighting the sudden loss of power that left them at the mercy of the pilots' skills.
Pilot Heroics Avert Catastrophe
Agarwal emphasized the pilots' critical role in navigating the crisis. "The pilots steered the aircraft away from the nearby hills, avoided the Brahmani river, and even managed to miss an electric transformer before the forced landing. Their skills saved our lives. The crash could have been disastrous," he stated. This calm thinking and exceptional maneuvering under extreme pressure were pivotal in preventing a more tragic outcome.
Divine Intervention and Cabin Terror
Describing the terror inside the cabin, Agarwal added, "My wife and I were praying to Lord Jagannath. We truly believe we survived because of His blessings." This spiritual reflection underscores the emotional and psychological toll of the incident, as passengers grappled with fear while relying on faith amidst the chaos.
Swift Response and Aftermath
Following the forced landing, local villagers were the first to rush to the scene, providing immediate assistance. They were quickly followed by police, fire service personnel, medical teams, and ambulances. Agarwal noted, "Their quick response helped save lives," acknowledging the crucial role of emergency services in the aftermath.
All six occupants—four passengers and two pilots—sustained grievous injuries. Susanta Kumar Biswal, who had suffered critical injuries, reportedly suffered a massive heart attack and died at a private hospital in Rourkela on January 17, just as he was being prepared for evacuation to Mumbai. This tragic turn adds a somber note to the incident, highlighting the severe impact on those involved.
Recovery and Investigation
After undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Mumbai, where they were airlifted on January 11, the couple returned to Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. Captain Naveen Kadanga was discharged on January 20, while co-pilot Srivastava was discharged on Friday, marking steps toward recovery for the survivors.
In the wake of the incident, dismantling of the aircraft's engine and body has begun. The parts will be transported soon for further examination, as authorities seek to understand the technical snag that led to the mid-air failure and forced landing.
