Odisha's Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena made a visit to the crash site near Rourkela on Monday. A nine-seater IndiaOne Air aircraft had force-landed there just two days earlier on Saturday. The minister also went to a local hospital to meet with the injured passengers and pilots.
Minister Calls Incident 'Unbelievable'
Speaking to reporters, Jena described the accident as "unbelievable and very unfortunate". He expressed relief that everyone on board survived the crash. "After such a big accident, the fact that all on-board survived is hard to believe. I thank God for saving their lives," the minister stated. He noted this was the second such incident in Odisha, following a previous one in Baripada.
Investigation Underway
The minister confirmed that a detailed probe is currently in progress. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are working to determine the exact cause of the accident. "Based on the findings, necessary steps will be taken to avoid recurrence," Jena assured the public.
Praise for Pilots and Locals
During his inspection of the site at Kainser village, Minister Jena praised the pilots for their quick thinking. He also commended local residents who helped rescue the injured immediately after the crash. The minister directed hospital doctors to provide the best possible medical care to all victims.
Accident Details Emerge
The incident occurred on Saturday when the pilot issued a "May Day" alert minutes before the scheduled landing at Rourkela airport. The aircraft apparently struck a high-tension wire during its emergency descent. This impact caused a power outage affecting ten nearby villages.
Despite significant damage to the fuselage and landing gears, all nine occupants were successfully rescued from the wreckage. Power supply to the affected villages was fully restored by Monday.
Current Medical Status
Two pilots have shown improvement and have been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit. However, one passenger remains on ventilator support at the hospital. Medical teams continue to monitor all patients closely.
Official Delegation
Minister Jena was accompanied during his visit by several officials including:
- Sundargarh collector Subhankar Mohapatra
- Local MLA Durga Charan Tanty
- Senior administrative officers
The state government has committed to providing comprehensive medical care to all victims. Officials emphasized their focus on implementing stronger safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
