Bhubaneswar: A passenger who sustained injuries during the force-landing of a nine-seater aircraft near Rourkela on January 10, 2026, died at a private hospital in the Steel City today.
The deceased has been identified as Susanta Kumar Biswal (47).
According to the Directorate of Aviation, the single-engine aircraft, operated by the private airline IndiaOne, made an emergency landing in a field in the Jalda area of Rourkela in Sundargarh district after developing technical glitches mid-flight. The flight was en route from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela when the mishap occurred.
Following the incident, the patient was immediately provided medical attention and had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital since January 10, 2026. Despite timely medical intervention and continuous monitoring, his condition remained critical due to pre-existing heart failure and renal failure. He subsequently developed a severe lung infection, which further deteriorated his health.
Given the seriousness of his condition, it was planned to transfer him to Mumbai for tertiary-level treatment via air evacuation to ensure better medical outcomes. However, while being transferred to the air ambulance, he suffered a massive cardiac arrest and collapsed. Despite the best efforts of the attending medical team, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 4:23 pm on January 17, 2026 (Saturday).
A relative of the patient accompanied him throughout the treatment and evacuation process.
The airline concerned has assured compensation to the next of kin as per applicable norms. All prescribed medical protocols and emergency procedures were duly followed.
Among the six injured were passengers Anita Sahoo (50), Sabita Agarwal (35), Sunil Agarwal (40), Susanta Kumar Biswal (46), along with pilot Naveen Kadanga (46) and co-pilot Tarun Shrivastava (46).
Following the incident, Sabita Agarwal and Sunil Agarwal were airlifted to Mumbai on January 11 at the request of their family for further treatment.
