Bhubaneswar: The pilot, Naveen Kadanga, who was injured in the Rourkela plane crash on January 10, was discharged from a private hospital in the Steel City on Tuesday after making a full recovery.
Hospital authorities gave Kadanga a warm send-off, felicitating him with flowers and a cake before he left for home. The pilot expressed his gratitude to the medical staff and state authorities for their support during his treatment.
Kadanga had sustained fractures to his facial bones in the accident and underwent multiple surgeries.
“All the medical staff took excellent care of me. I am grateful to the state government for the facilities provided. I also thank the Transport Department officials who visited me. The doctors were professional, and the hospital staff were very kind. I am feeling well now and hope my fellow passengers recover soon. Regarding the incident, I do not wish to comment, as the authorities are investigating the matter,” Kadanga told the media.
The crash occurred when the aircraft, operating on the Bhubaneswar–Rourkela route, made a forced landing near Jalda in the Raghunathpali block, about eight nautical miles short of Rourkela airport. Six people were injured in the incident.
While timely action by the pilots helped prevent immediate fatalities, one passenger succumbed to injuries during treatment on January 17. The remaining four injured—three passengers and the co-pilot—are currently undergoing medical care.
