A team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) started its probe on Sunday into the emergency crash landing of a small aircraft near Odisha’s Rourkela, according to a senior official.
The incident occurred Saturday afternoon when a nine-seater IndiaOne Air plane was forced to land in an open field near Kansor, resulting in injuries to six individuals, including two pilots.
The state Directorate of Aviation, in a statement, said that officials from both the AAIB and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) visited the site to evaluate rescue efforts, medical responses, and safety protocols in collaboration with local police and district authorities.
“All arrangements have been made on priority, and the state government is in close coordination with the DGCA, AAIB and the concerned airline to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols,” it said.
Sundargarh Collector Subhankar Mohapatra noted that the specialised AAIB team will provide a comprehensive report to the relevant authorities once their technical investigation is finalised.
“After completion of the investigation, the AAIB team will submit its report to the concerned authority,” he said.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is closely overseeing the developments and has instructed all departments to provide maximum medical, logistical, and administrative assistance to the victims and the investigators, the statement said.
A control room has also been set up at the Directorate of Civil Aviation for effective coordination and dissemination of information.
Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Transport Department, stated that investigators conducted an aerial survey of the crash site using a state helicopter before proceeding with a detailed ground-level inspection.
“The state government has made all arrangements for the smooth conduct of the investigation, which is being carried out as per DGCA guidelines and standard operating procedures,” she said.
The DGCA stated that the Cessna Grand Caravan 208B had departed from Bhubaneswar on Saturday with six people on board. The crew issued a “Mayday” signal to Rourkela ATC before making an emergency landing at approximately 1:20 pm.
IndiaOne Air said operations on the Jeypore and Rourkela sectors remain normal.
The state Directorate of Aviation stated that all six injured persons, including two women and the pilots, are in stable condition. At their own request, two passengers were airlifted to Mumbai for specialised care and are currently out of danger, it said.
The remaining four injured, the two pilots and two passengers, are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Rourkela and are under medical supervision. A team of state-level medical experts is in touch with the hospital and monitoring the situation, the statement added.
