Tejas aircraft crashes for first time in 23 years, pilot ejects safely

One Tejas aircraft of the Indian Air Force met with an accident at Jaisalmer, today during an operational training sortie. The pilot ejected safely.
A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to find out the cause of the accident.

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 12, 2024

The aircraft crashed into the compound of the Bhil Community Hostel in Jawahar Nagar, two kilometres from Jaisalmer city, at around 2 pm. According to police, there were three students in the hostel at the time, and no one was injured.

Jaisalmer Superintendent of Police Sudheer Chaudhary said, “The students were in different rooms. No one was injured in the incident. Four fire tenders were sent to the spot and the fire was brought under control after some time. Government officials visited the spot and took control of the situation.”

#WATCH | Rajasthan | A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jaisalmer today during an operational training sortie. The pilot ejected safely. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. pic.twitter.com/3JZf15Q8eZ

— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2024

According to an IAF statement, “A Court of Inquiry has been constituted to find out the cause of the accident.”

The IAF currently operates two LCA squadrons. In February 2021, the Defence Ministry had signed a Rs 48,000-crore deal with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure 83 LCA-Mk1A aircraft – 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A jets and 10 LCA Mk-1 trainer aircraft.

With additional LCA deliveries scheduled this month, the IAF is expected to raise a third LCA squadron soon.

The LCA’s maiden flight was successfully completed on January 4, 2001 and was named Tejas in 2003.