Rourkela: Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena on Monday visited the site of the emergency crash-landing of a chartered aircraft near Jalda in Rourkela and assured that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Calling the episode “unfortunate”, the Minister said the state government remains committed to providing the best possible medical care to the injured passengers and crew, while also strengthening aviation safety protocols. “We are deeply concerned about why this incident occurred. A detailed inquiry is being conducted so that such situations are not repeated,” he said after reviewing the site.
In a post on X, Jena shared details of his visit and praised the swift response that helped avert a tragedy. “I reviewed the condition of the damaged aircraft and discussed the investigation process with the officials present. I also thanked the local residents, especially health workers, whose prompt assistance and efforts helped save precious lives,” he wrote.
He also met the passengers and pilots who were injured in the aircraft accident and are undergoing treatment at JP Hospital, and enquired about their health. He discussed with hospital authorities and assured that Odisha government will extend every possible assistance to ensure the injured recover quickly and return home in good health.
He also informed that discussions would be held with senior departmental officials to closely examine the circumstances that forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing.
Earlier, teams from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) carried out a detailed inspection of the site. Officials from Delhi, Kolkata and Bhubaneswar arrived over the weekend and conducted a ground-level assessment as part of the statutory probe.
On Sunday, Odisha Transport Secretary Usha Padhee also visited the area, holding extensive discussions with technical experts on various aspects of the incident. She later went to the hospital to enquire about the condition of the injured passengers and crew.
All six persons injured in the crash-landing remain under medical observation and are reported to be stable. State authorities have said they are extending full cooperation to central aviation agencies as the investigation progresses.
