A naval Islander aircraft force-landed at a paddy field at Piravom near Kochi on Friday while on a routine sortie. However, all the five people on board are safe.

Shortly after the twin engine aircraft took off from the naval air station in Kochi, the crew reported that one of its engines had failed and the air traffic controller at INS Garuda ordered them to return immediately to base.

But, since it was unable to gain the minimum safe height, the crew decided to land at the uninhabited paddy field close to the Hindustan Newsprint Ltd area, the navy said in a statement in Kochi.

The crew members, who included three under-trainee officers on board the aircraft, were safe and they have been brought to the naval hospital INS Sanjivini in Kochi, it said.

No damage to civilian property has been reported. A detailed investigation has been ordered by the navy.

The aircraft was piloted by Lt Commander T G S Bedi while Lt Dabas was the co-pilot, the sources said. The three trainee officers in the flight were: Lt Commanders Manoj P C, Manish Kumar and R K Singh.