BHUBNESWAR: A small aircraft made an emergency crash landing around nine kilometres from the Rourkela airstrip on Saturday after a technical fault was detected mid-flight, officials said. Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), which confirmed the crash landing, said the pilot, upon noticing a technical snag in the system, attempted a belly landing on a grassland, saving all the passengers, although he himself sustained injuries. The severity of his injuries is not yet known. “The pilot went for a crash landing in a plain field 10 km before the runway. All six people, including four passengers on board, are safe. The pilot and co-pilot are alive. One of the pilots is injured. The plane slightly nosedived. There is minor damage to the fuselage, but the wings are intact. An investigation will be carried out soon,” said Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena.

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The plane, which operates under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), is a nine-seater, and including the pilot, seven people were on board. “The reason for the technical snag is yet to be ascertained,” said BPIA Director Prasanna Pradhan.

Reacting to the incident, CM Mohan Charan Majhi in a post on ‘X’ said, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the plane crash that occurred in Rourkela. The news that all passengers are safe by the grace of Lord Jagannath is reassuring. I have directed that immediate best medical services be provided to those injured in this incident. I am personally monitoring the situation. I am praying at the feet of Lord Sri Jagannath for the swift recovery of all.“