Rourkela, India: India’s aviation accident regulator has released its preliminary findings into the crash of an India One Air Cessna Caravan aircraft near Rourkela last month, confirming that low engine oil pressure led to an emergency landing attempt that ended in a fatal accident.
According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the accident occurred on January 10, 2026, at 0747 UTC when a Cessna Grand Caravan 208B EX, registration VT-KSS, operating a scheduled Bhubaneswar–Rourkela service, was forced to land in an open field near Jalda village in Odisha.
The aircraft, operated by India One Air, had departed from Biju Patnaik International Airport and was approaching Rourkela Airport when the crew observed a drop in engine oil pressure approximately 30 nautical miles from destination.
The report states that the oil pressure showed a downward trend accompanied by reduced engine power. Following standard non-normal checklist procedures, the pilots shut down the engine and declared a Mayday with Rourkela Air Traffic Control, indicating their intention to attempt an emergency landing at the nearest suitable site.
Investigators said the crew initially considered landing on a dry riverbed but abandoned the attempt due to insufficient altitude. They then selected an alternate open field that appeared free of major obstacles. However, during final approach, the aircraft struck a treetop and a high-tension power cable before impacting the ground.
The impact caused substantial structural damage. The nose landing gear separated, the main landing gear deformed, and the forward fuselage suffered fragmentation. Investigators found oil stains along the fuselage belly extending toward the tail. No post-crash fire or smoke was observed.
The accident resulted in the death of one passenger. Three other passengers sustained serious injuries. Both the pilot-in-command, aged 48, and the first officer, aged 41, also suffered serious injuries. The crew held valid commercial pilot licences, medical certificates, and were cleared by pre-flight breath analyser tests.
Weather conditions at Rourkela at the time were reported as wind 060 degrees at 2 knots, visibility 7 km, no significant cloud, and QNH 1017 hPa.
The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data have been downloaded and are under analysis. The engine has been secured for detailed examination. The AAIB has appointed accredited representatives from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada to assist in the investigation.
The bureau reiterated that the purpose of the investigation is the prevention of future accidents and not to apportion blame or liability. The findings remain preliminary and subject to change pending further technical analysis.
![Washington, United States: A United Airlines flight bound for Guatemala City made an emergency diversion to Washington Dulles International Airport after a passenger allegedly attempted to open a cabin door at cruising altitude and assaulted another traveler, according to air traffic control communications and federal authorities. The incident involved United Airlines Flight 1551, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, which departed from Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday evening carrying 145 passengers and six crew members. The aircraft had been en route to Guatemala City when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. According to audio between the flight crew and air traffic controllers, the pilot informed controllers that the disruptive passenger attempted to open Door 2L while the aircraft was cruising at approximately 36,000 feet. The pilot also reported that the passenger later assaulted another individual onboard. During the exchange, the tower asked the crew which door the passenger had attempted to access. The pilot responded: “Door 2L at 36,000 feet and then [the passenger] assaulted a fellow passenger.” When controllers asked whether there were any injuries onboard, the pilot replied: “Not to our knowledge.” The aircraft landed safely at Washington Dulles at approximately 8:38 p.m. local time. Law enforcement and emergency personnel met the aircraft upon arrival. The FBI later confirmed that agents responded to the incident at the airport, although the agency did not immediately release additional details regarding the passenger’s identity, possible charges, or whether the individual was taken into federal custody. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft remained airborne for a period before diverting toward the Washington region instead of continuing south toward Guatemala. The diversion temporarily disrupted the scheduled international service but no injuries among passengers or crew were officially reported. United Airlines had not issued a detailed public statement at the time of publication regarding the circumstances surrounding the diversion or the status of the passenger involved. Federal authorities are expected to review crew reports, passenger statements, and onboard evidence as part of the investigation.](https://aviationtoday.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AVIATION-TODAY-UNITEDV-AIRLINES-RUDE-PASSENGER-768x432.jpg)
![Washington, United States: A United Airlines flight bound for Guatemala City made an emergency diversion to Washington Dulles International Airport after a passenger allegedly attempted to open a cabin door at cruising altitude and assaulted another traveler, according to air traffic control communications and federal authorities. The incident involved United Airlines Flight 1551, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, which departed from Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday evening carrying 145 passengers and six crew members. The aircraft had been en route to Guatemala City when the crew declared an emergency and diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. According to audio between the flight crew and air traffic controllers, the pilot informed controllers that the disruptive passenger attempted to open Door 2L while the aircraft was cruising at approximately 36,000 feet. The pilot also reported that the passenger later assaulted another individual onboard. During the exchange, the tower asked the crew which door the passenger had attempted to access. The pilot responded: “Door 2L at 36,000 feet and then [the passenger] assaulted a fellow passenger.” When controllers asked whether there were any injuries onboard, the pilot replied: “Not to our knowledge.” The aircraft landed safely at Washington Dulles at approximately 8:38 p.m. local time. Law enforcement and emergency personnel met the aircraft upon arrival. The FBI later confirmed that agents responded to the incident at the airport, although the agency did not immediately release additional details regarding the passenger’s identity, possible charges, or whether the individual was taken into federal custody. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft remained airborne for a period before diverting toward the Washington region instead of continuing south toward Guatemala. The diversion temporarily disrupted the scheduled international service but no injuries among passengers or crew were officially reported. United Airlines had not issued a detailed public statement at the time of publication regarding the circumstances surrounding the diversion or the status of the passenger involved. Federal authorities are expected to review crew reports, passenger statements, and onboard evidence as part of the investigation.](https://aviationtoday.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AVIATION-TODAY-UNITEDV-AIRLINES-RUDE-PASSENGER-300x169.jpg)
