India Loses Another Tejas Aircraft in Crash; Pilot Safe, Fleet Now Undergoing Inspections

The Indian Air Force has lost yet another Tejas Light Combat Aircraft in a non-fatal accident, marking the third major incident involving the indigenous fighter jet in recent years.

Defence sources told that the crash occurred earlier this month at a key operational air base. The single-seat Tejas Mk1 was returning from a routine training sortie and was on final approach for landing when the mishap took place. The aircraft suffered extensive damage and is expected to be written off as beyond economical repair. The pilot ejected safely and escaped without serious injuries.

In the immediate aftermath, the IAF directed comprehensive technical inspections and safety checks across the entire Tejas fleet, which consists of roughly 32 to 40 operational Mk1 aircraft delivered by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited so far. A formal Court of Inquiry has been convened to establish the exact cause of the accident, with early indications pointing to an issue during the landing phase.

This latest event comes after two previous high-profile Tejas incidents. In March 2024, a Tejas crashed near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan shortly after a firepower demonstration flight, apparently due to an engine problem; the pilot ejected safely in that case as well. Then, in November 2025, a Tejas was involved in a fatal crash during an aerobatic display at the Dubai Airshow, where Wing Commander Namansh Syal tragically lost his life in front of spectators.

While accidents remain an unfortunate part of military aviation — particularly for a relatively small fleet operating under intensive training and demonstration schedules — the recent cluster of incidents has drawn renewed attention to the Tejas program’s safety and reliability record. Developed entirely in India by HAL, the Tejas continues to be a cornerstone of the country’s push for defence self-reliance. The more advanced Mk1A variant is progressing toward deliveries, with the IAF having placed orders for 180 units to help strengthen squadron numbers in a challenging regional security environment.