Another Tejas light combat aircraft lost in accident, pilot safe
Sources said the crash occurred at a major air base earlier this month, when the fighter jet was landing after a training sortie. The aircraft was severely damaged and will likely be written off the flight, but the pilot escaped without serious injury.
The incident involved one of 32 single-seat LCAs delivered to the Air Force by manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Deliveries of the more advanced Mk1A variant were delayed and multiple delivery dates were missed. The Air Force ordered 180 LCA Mk1A aircraft. This marks the third major accident involving the Tejas fleet. The first occurred in March 2024, when an LCA crashed while returning from a firepower demonstration near Jaisalmer. The pilot safely ejected from the plane as the plane descended during final approach.
The second incident occurred at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025, when a Teja crashed during an aerobatic display. In the accident, the pilot failed to eject himself and died. The investigation into that incident continues.
