Rourkela aircraft crash: Pilot’s presence of mind averts major tragedy, six lives saved

Pilot Naveen Kadanga is being widely hailed as a hero following the IndiaOne Air aircraft incident in Rourkela, where his extraordinary presence of mind and unmatched courage averted what could have been a catastrophic disaster.

According to eyewitness accounts, the aircraft was forced into an emergency situation just minutes before reaching its destination. Faced with a critical crisis mid-air, pilot Naveen Kadanga remained calm under extreme pressure and took decisive action to save the lives of passengers as well as people on the ground.

Eyewitnesses who saw the aircraft rapidly descending described the scene as terrifying. Many said the sight of the plane losing altitude sent chills down their spine. However, what followed was nothing short of heroic. Determined to prevent loss of life at any cost, the pilot attempted a forced landing while continuously scanning the area for a safer spot.

Narrowly Avoids Massive Explosion

During the landing attempt, the pilot noticed three to four people working in an agricultural field and a nearby house. In a split-second decision that proved crucial, he immediately diverted the aircraft away from them. The plane brushed against trees and finally landed in an open field.

The most remarkable aspect of the rescue operation was that the pilot managed to force-land the aircraft beneath dangerous high-tension electric wires, narrowly avoiding a massive explosion or fire. Experts and locals have pointed out that had the aircraft landed just a few meters away, the people working in the field and the family residing nearby could have been severely affected.

“The flight was supposedly coming straight towards us. But, after sighting us, he diverted it again to save our lives. Otherwise, it could crash us to death,” an eye-witness shared.

Exceptional Skill and Judgement

Despite being surrounded by danger and operating under life-threatening conditions, the pilot used exceptional skill and judgment to minimize damage and protect priceless human lives. His selfless effort ensured that neither the passengers nor people on the ground suffered major harm.

Both pilots sustained injuries during the incident but are now recovering rapidly, hospital authorities confirmed. The injured passengers are also reported to be out of danger and showing steady improvement.

Also Read: Rourkela aircraft crash: 2 injured voluntarily airlifted to Mumbai for advanced treatment

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Bibhuti Jena visited the incident site to review the situation firsthand. He also met the injured passengers at the hospital and enquired about their health. Describing the incident as unfortunate, the minister said that a detailed investigation is underway to prevent such occurrences in the future.

“I was here to thank the pilots Naveen Kadanga and Tarun Srivastav for this exceptional courage and saving lives by risking their own lives,” the Transport Minister stated. 

The incident has raised several serious questions, particularly regarding why the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing just minutes before reaching its destination. Teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) from Delhi, Kolkata, and Bhubaneswar have been stationed at the crash site for the past two days to determine the exact cause.

As investigations continue, one fact remains undisputed: the pilot’s courage, quick thinking, and professional excellence saved countless lives, earning him widespread respect and admiration across the state.