Bhubaneswar: Two passengers injured in the emergency crash landing of a small aircraft near Rourkela in Odisha have been airlifted to Mumbai for further treatment, while another injured passenger remains on ventilator support, a senior state government official said on Sunday.

At least six people, including two pilots, were injured when a nine-seater IndiaOne Air aircraft made an emergency landing in an open area near Rourkela on Saturday afternoon.

Speaking to reporters at the accident site, Odisha Commerce and Transport Department Principal Secretary Usha Padhee said the two injured passengers, a couple, were shifted to a Mumbai hospital at their own request. “They were undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Rourkela and wished to continue treatment in Mumbai. After clearance from the treating doctors, they were airlifted this morning,” she said.

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Another official said the couple travelled to Mumbai at their own expense.

Padhee added that one more injured passenger is currently under treatment on ventilator support, though doctors are hopeful of recovery as the person had previously been treated at the same hospital. She said the state government would arrange an air ambulance if required for the transportation of any injured passengers.

A team of medical experts has been constituted to continuously monitor the health condition of those admitted to a private hospital in Rourkela, she said.

In a statement, the Odisha Directorate of Aviation said the condition of all six injured persons — including two women and the two pilots — was “safe and stable”. “As per the latest health bulletin, all passengers are safe and stable. One passenger remains under close and continuous medical observation,” the statement said.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the IndiaOne Air Cessna Grand Caravan 208B aircraft was carrying two pilots and four passengers and had departed Bhubaneswar on Saturday afternoon. The crew declared a ‘Mayday’ to Rourkela air traffic control before making a forced landing at around 1.20 pm near Kansor.

Meanwhile, a three-member team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun its probe into the incident. Padhee said the team conducted an aerial survey of the crash landing site using a state government helicopter and will subsequently carry out a ground inspection. She added that the state government has made all necessary arrangements to facilitate the investigation, which is being conducted in line with DGCA guidelines and standard operating procedures.