In a scary event that could have turned very bad, a small plane from IndiaOne Air had to make an emergency landing in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on January 10, 2026. The plane, which was flying from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela, faced a technical problem in the air. Thanks to the smart and fast actions of the two pilots, all six people on board – two pilots and four passengers – came out alive, though they got some injuries. No one died in this incident, and everyone is now getting treatment in hospitals and doing okay. This story shows how important it is for pilots to stay calm in tough times and how quick help from ground teams can save lives.
The landing happened near a place called Kansar or Jalda, about 10 to 15 kilometers away from the Rourkela airport. The area is in the Sundargarh district, which is known for its steel factories and green hills. People in the nearby villages heard a loud noise and saw the plane coming down in an open field. Soon, police, fire fighters, and doctors rushed to the spot to help. The plane’s wreckage was smoking a bit, but there was no big fire. Fire teams sprayed water on it to stop any fuel from catching fire. This quick work made sure no more harm happened.
Odisha’s government and the airline are now looking into what went wrong. They want to make sure such things don’t happen again. Stories like this remind us how flying, even on small planes, needs good machines and trained people. In India, where many people use small flights to go to far places, safety is a big worry. But this time, it ended well because of the pilots’ skills.
What Happened During the Flight?
The IndiaOne Air flight, numbered I7102, took off from Bhubaneswar’s Biju Patnaik International Airport at around 12:27 pm. It was a short trip to Rourkela, which usually takes about an hour. The plane was a Cessna 208 Caravan, a small aircraft that can carry up to nine people. This one had only six on board that day. Everything seemed fine at first, but when the plane was just 8 nautical miles – that’s about 15 kilometers – away from landing in Rourkela, something went wrong.
The pilots noticed a technical snag. It could have been something like low air pressure or engine trouble, but we don’t know for sure yet. They quickly sent out a “Mayday” call, which is a signal that means the plane is in big danger and needs help right away. Instead of trying to reach the airport, which might have been too risky, the pilots chose to land the plane in a safe spot on the ground. They picked an open grassy field near Kansar village in the Sundargarh district. This place is close to Jalda A Block under the Raghunathpali police area.
The landing was not smooth because the plane’s wheels didn’t come down properly – it was a “belly landing,” where the bottom of the plane touches the ground first. The aircraft slid on the grass and stopped. Parts of it got damaged, and there was a chance of fuel leaking, but no fire started. All this happened around 1:20 pm. The pilots’ choice of spot was smart because it was away from houses and roads, so no one on the ground got hurt. Deputy Fire Officer Umakanta Naik later said that the pilots’ good decision saved everyone’s life. He told reporters, “If they had tried to land somewhere else, it could have been much worse. The open field helped a lot.”
Right after the landing, the people inside the plane were scared but alive. They had cuts, bruises, and some had pain in their backs or legs from the hard stop. But none of the injuries were very serious. The passengers and pilots managed to get out of the plane quickly before help came.
The Aircraft and Flight Details
The plane involved was a Cessna 208 Caravan, made by an American company called Cessna. It’s a popular small plane used for short trips in places like Odisha, where big airports are not everywhere. This model can fly with one engine and is good for landing on short runways. The registration number was VT-KSS, and it belonged to IndiaOne Air, a small airline that flies within Odisha and nearby states.
IndiaOne Air runs flights under the UDAN scheme, which is a government plan to make flying cheap and easy for people in small towns. The flight from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela is part of this. Rourkela is famous for its steel plant and is in the northern part of Odisha. Many people use this flight for business or to visit family. On a normal day, the plane leaves Bhubaneswar in the morning or afternoon and lands in Rourkela without problems. But on January 10, things changed because of the snag.
Experts say small planes like this sometimes face issues because they fly low and in rough weather. But regular checks keep them safe. In this case, the airline says it was a precautionary landing, meaning they did it to be safe rather than wait for more trouble. The plane is now being looked at by experts to find out what exactly failed.
The Passengers and Crew
The two pilots were Captain Naveen Kadanga and Co-pilot Tarun Srivastav. They are experienced flyers who have flown this route many times. Their quick thinking is what everyone is talking about. After the landing, they helped the passengers get out and waited for rescue. Both pilots got injuries but are stable now.
The four passengers were Sushant Kumar Biwal, Anita Sahu, Sunil Agarwal, and Sabita Agarwal. They were going to Rourkela for different reasons, maybe work or family. Three of them are at J.P. Hospital in Rourkela, and one with the pilots at Rourkela Government Hospital. Doctors say they have minor injuries like cuts and shocks, but nothing life-threatening. Families have been told, and everyone is relieved that it’s not worse.
One passenger, who didn’t want to give his name, told a local news person, “It was very scary. The plane started shaking, and the pilots said we have to land now. But they handled it well. We are lucky to be alive.”
Emergency Response and Rescue
As soon as the Mayday call came, teams on the ground got ready. Fire trucks from Rourkela Fire Station and Panposh Fire Station rushed to the spot. Police from Raghunathpali helped keep people away and made way for ambulances. The district officials sent doctors and nurses too. They reached the wreckage fast and pulled everyone out.
The fire fighters sprayed foam on the plane to stop any fire from starting because fuel might leak. Local people from Kansar village also came to help, but the officials handled it. Everyone was taken to hospitals in ambulances within minutes. This fast work showed how well Odisha’s emergency teams are trained.
Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi looked into the matter himself and told officials to give all help to the injured. He said, “I am personally monitoring the situation. We will make sure everyone gets good care.”
Statements from Officials and the Airline
Commerce and Transport Minister B B Jena said, “One A-1 nine-seater private flight carrying six passengers from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar has met with an accident. The passengers have sustained minor injuries and are stable. It took place at Jalda, 10 kilometres from Rourkela. By the grace of God, this is not a major accident.”
Director of Biju Patnaik International Airport, Prasanna Pradhan, added, “The flight was on its way from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela. It made a crash landing 10 km before Rourkela. There were 4 passengers and 2 crew members. All are safe. The flight is IndiaOne Air. The number of the light is C-208.”
IndiaOne Air put out a statement: “IndiaOne Air flight I7102 (VT-KSS) made a precautionary forced landing near Kansor after a technical issue. No casualties reported. We’re coordinating with regulators and the Odisha Govt. Wishing a speedy recovery to all involved.”
The Directorate of Civil Aviation said, “The pilots ensured a controlled landing due to which lives have been saved.” They also told the DGCA and AAIB about it.
Investigation Underway
Now, the big question is why did this happen? The DGCA and AAIB are starting a probe. They will look at the plane’s parts, talk to the pilots, and check the flight data. It might take some weeks to know the exact reason. Maybe it was a machine fault or weather, but nothing is sure yet.
IndiaOne Air says they will give a full report. The airline is working with the government to help the injured and their families. Safety checks might get stricter after this.
Background on IndiaOne Air and Regional Aviation in Odisha
IndiaOne Air is a small airline based in Odisha. It started a few years ago to connect small towns like Rourkela, Jeypore, and Utkela with big cities. They use Cessna planes because they are good for short trips and can land on small airstrips. The company is part of the UDAN program, which helps people in remote areas fly cheaply.
Odisha has many such flights because it’s a big state with hills and forests. Places like Sundargarh are important for mining and steel, so business people use these planes. But sometimes, bad weather or old machines cause problems. Still, accidents are rare, and airlines try to keep things safe.
In India, regional flying is growing fast. More people are using planes instead of trains for short trips. But we need better airports and more training for pilots to make it safer.
Similar Incidents and Lessons Learned
This is not the first time a small plane had trouble in India. Last year, there were a few emergency landings in other states due to engine issues. For example, in 2025, an IndiGo flight had to land quickly because of a bird hit. These things teach us to check planes more often and train crews better.
Worldwide, Cessna 208 planes have had some crashes, but most are because of bad weather or pilot errors. In this case, it seems the pilots did everything right. Experts say we can learn from this to improve safety rules.
Aviation is safe overall, but every incident makes us better. In Odisha, this will lead to more checks on small airlines.
FAQs
What caused the IndiaOne Air plane to make an emergency landing?
The plane faced a technical snag while approaching Rourkela. The exact cause is not known yet, but it could be engine trouble or low pressure. The pilots decided to land safely in a field to avoid bigger risks. A full probe by DGCA and AAIB will find out more in the coming days.
Were there any deaths in the incident?
No, thank God, no one died. All six people – two pilots and four passengers – got injuries, but they are minor. They are stable and getting treatment in hospitals in Rourkela.
Who were the people on the plane?
The pilots were Captain Naveen Kadanga and Co-pilot Tarun Srivastav. The passengers were Sushant Kumar Biwal, Anita Sahu, Sunil Agarwal, and Sabita Agarwal. They are all from Odisha or nearby areas.
How did the rescue happen?
As soon as the plane landed, fire teams, police, and doctors came. They took the injured to hospitals fast. Fire fighters made sure no fire started from fuel. Local people also helped a bit.
What is IndiaOne Air doing now?
The airline is helping the injured and working with the government. They sent a statement wishing everyone a quick recovery and said they are following all rules for the probe.
Is flying on small planes safe in India?
Yes, mostly safe, but like any travel, there are risks. Airlines check planes regularly, and pilots are trained. This incident will help make things even better.
What will happen to the plane now?
It will be checked by experts. If it can be fixed, it might fly again. But first, the probe will see what went wrong.
How can I get more updates on this?
Check news sites like NDTV or ANI. The government will give more info as the probe goes on.