Another Indian HAL Tejas plane crashes; pilot safe

NEW DELHI: A Tejas fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed during a routine training mission, officials confirmed on Monday. The pilot ejected safely before impact and is reported to be in stable condition.

According to Indian media reports, the aircraft experienced a sudden technical malfunction while on a training sortie, causing it to lose control mid-air. Initial information suggests that the jet caught fire after hitting the ground.

In an official statement, the Indian Air Force said that a court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident and determine the exact cause of the crash. “The pilot ejected safely. An inquiry has been instituted to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the statement said.

Defense experts indicate that a technical fault is being considered as a possible reason behind the crash. However, authorities emphasized that definitive conclusions will only be drawn after the completion of a detailed investigation.

The Tejas is a domestically developed light combat aircraft manufactured in India. It is regarded as a key component of the Indian Air Force’s modernisation efforts and is equipped with advanced avionics and combat capabilities for a range of defense operations.

Further details are awaited as investigators examine the wreckage and flight data to establish the sequence of events leading to the crash.