Tejas Fighter Jet Suffers First Crash After 23 Years of Accident-Free Record

India's domestically developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas suffered a significant setback today, experiencing its first crash after a remarkable 23-year run of accident-free operation. The incident occurred during an operational training sortie in the Jaisalmer region of Rajasthan.

The aircraft, reportedly a Tejas in its Final Operational Configuration (FOC) and part of the Indian Air Force's No. 18 Flying Bullets squadron, crashed under circumstances that are still being investigated. The pilot successfully ejected from the aircraft and is reported to be safe.

Milestone Marred​

The Tejas program has been a source of pride for India's aerospace industry, recently celebrating 10,000 accident-free sorties. This crash marks a stark turning point in the aircraft's operational history.

Investigation Underway​

The Indian Air Force has swiftly ordered a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to meticulously examine the events leading up to the crash and identify the root cause. Preliminary analysis of available footage suggests the aircraft may have been attempting a takeoff or emergency landing, as its landing gears appeared deployed.

Intriguingly, the absence of visible smoke and a continued engine roar in the footage raise questions about potential scenarios. Unresponsive controls, electrical failure, or engine flameout are possibilities the investigation will need to explore.

Tejas: A Symbol of Progress​

The LCA Tejas program stands as a testament to India's growing prowess in aerospace design and manufacturing. This crash, while a setback, is unlikely to derail the larger ambitions of the program or India's defence modernization efforts.

The findings of the Court of Inquiry will be crucial in understanding the cause of this incident and taking steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

 

[beencensured]

The way the plane was flying is strange for why the pilot bailed.

 

[Vijay Anand]

An accident-less record of 23 years is still a remarkable and significant number of accidents happen during training. Even advanced 5th gen aircrafts undergo accidents. Hope a proper enquiry is done and any previously missed issues are identified, get fixed before having them discovered during a battle

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Its ok. The more the aircraft is flown and the more numbers are built, more chance of this record to be broken.

 

[beencensured]

They have to explain why pilot bailed for the plane was moving slowly with landing gear down.

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

Only Rafale has no accidents .

 

[Arijit Bhadra]

Only Rafale has no accidents .

5 times.

 

[Enigma]

Unfortunate. Still holds an impeccable record.

 

[Instant Karma]

It seems that the pilot was inexperienced. It seems to be a complete failure on the part of the pilot.

 

[Instant Karma]

They have to explain why pilot bailed for the plane was moving slowly with landing gear down.

Seems to be pilots error or some health issues with the pilot such as heart attack or brain stroke.

 

[NSR]

God, such a great tragedy just before the induction of first Tejas IA induction.

Outstanding flying record by all means for so long.
Not a single crash during development and qualifications is a first in world, including western fighters.

Nothing to be ashamed at all.
Just need to find and fix the issues and keep flying as the machines are bound to fail at one time or other over so many unrelated issues.

Engine seems to be dead in video.
Getting the license to produce GE F-404IN20 under same terms of 80% TOT would surely help India to maintain it better over fighter life.

 

[vinod nair]

May b they are testing ejection seat working??

 

[amerjit johal]

Looks like the pilot ejected too soon.
Only time will tell.

 

[Amit]

Only bad and sad news today

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

Law of averages had to be met someday. Every jet suffers crash, nothing new.

 

[YAMA]

May b they are testing ejection seat working??

By crashing the plane??? By that logic 9/11 attacks was perhaps load testing done by the WTC company!

 

[Akshat]

An accident-less record of 23 years is still a remarkable and significant number of accidents happen during training.

The number of units built in 23 years is even more remarkable, just not in a good way.

 

[Akshat]

May b they are testing ejection seat working??

Then why did IAF set up a court of inquiry to find out the reason for the crash?

 

[Akshat]

It seems that the pilot was inexperienced. It seems to be a complete failure on the part of the pilot.

The pilots did exactly what they are taught to do. First the co pilot exited, then the pilot. So clearly the pilot wasn’t at all at fault. Most likely a manufacturing error on the part of HAL like always.

 

[Akshat]

Seems to be pilots error or some health issues with the pilot such as heart attack or brain stroke.

Then how did he follow the SOP to perfection? Most likely this was a manufacturing error by HAL.