Rourkela: Captain Naveen Kadanga, the pilot who skilfully managed an emergency landing during the January 10 aircraft incident near Rourkela, was discharged from Ispat General Hospital (IGH) on Tuesday.
Kadanga, who sustained multiple injuries to his head, back, face, hands, and legs in the crash on January 10, underwent surgery and responded well to 10 days of intensive treatment. His discharge has brought immense relief to his family, colleagues, and the wider community, who have widely praised his composure and quick thinking that prevented a far greater tragedy.
Hospital staff bid him a heartfelt farewell with flowers and a cake, honouring his bravery and resilience.
The pilot expressed heartfelt gratitude to the medical team for their dedicated care and to the well-wishers who extended support during the crisis. “All injured passengers are recovering well and I pray they return home soon. Authorities are looking into the matter and will brief you on the investigation of the crash. I am thankful to the people who helped us including the villagers,” he told reporters.
The incident involved a nine-seater Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft operated by IndiaOne Air, en route from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela. Shortly after takeoff at 12:27 pm, the plane encountered technical difficulties, prompting the pilots to issue a distress call. Kadanga, along with co-pilot Tarun Srivastava, steered the aircraft away from densely populated areas and executed a forced landing in an open field near Jalda, averting potential disaster.
The crash resulted in injuries to all aboard, including the two pilots and four passengers. While most have been recovering steadily, one passenger, Susanta Kumar Biswal, suffered a massive cardiac arrest and collapsed on January 17 while being prepared for an airlift to Mumbai for advanced care.
