Sources said the accident occurred earlier this month at a key air base when the fighter was landing after a training sortie. The aircraft has been severely damaged and is likely to be written off, though the pilot escaped without serious injury.
The incident involved one of the 32 single-seat LCAs delivered to the Air Force by manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Deliveries of the more advanced Mk1A variant have been delayed, missing multiple deadlines. The Air Force has placed orders for 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 ejected safely as the aircraft went down during final approach.
The second incident took place at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025, when a Tejas crashed during an aerobatic display. The pilot was unable to eject and died in the crash. An inquiry into that incident is ongoing.
