Preliminary findings from an ongoing investigation into the March 12 crash of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA-Mk-1) point towards engine seizure as the likely cause. This marks the first accident involving the indigenously developed single-engine fighter jet since its introduction in 2016.
Sources close to the investigation reveal that the engine failure may have been triggered by a malfunctioning oil pump.
The crash occurred near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, shortly after the Tejas participated in the tri-services Bharat Shakti exercise, a display of India's growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The pilot successfully ejected and sustained no injuries.
Following the incident, the IAF conducted comprehensive safety checks on its entire LCA Mk-1 fleet, finding no other safety concerns. The Tejas, powered by a GE Aerospace F404 engine, is a cornerstone of the IAF's modernization plans.
Despite this setback, Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), former director general of the Centre for Air Power Studies, emphasized the rarity of such engine failures in modern jet engines and expressed confidence in the IAF's thorough investigation.
The Tejas program, launched in 1983, is crucial for the IAF's transition away from older aircraft like the MiG-21. The Mk-1A and future Mk-2 variants are expected to significantly bolster the IAF's combat capabilities in the coming decades.
