IAF Tejas fighter crashes in Jaisalmer, pilot ejects safely

An Indian Air Force Tejas aircraft crashed in the vicinity of a student hostel in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer during a training mission. The pilot safely ejected, and there were no reported injuries on the ground.

This marks the first crash of the indigenous jet since its inaugural test flight 23 years ago, back in 2001. The Tejas, classified as a light combat aircraft, was incorporated into the Indian Air Force in 2016.

The aircraft went down on the premises of a student hostel near the Lakshmi Chand Sanwal Colony in Jaisalmer at approximately 2 pm. The pilot successfully ejected, stated the Air Force, which also announced an investigation into the occurrence.

“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,” the Indian Air Force said on X.

Following the crash, the aircraft ignited but the fire has since been extinguished. It remains uncertain if the plane was involved in the ongoing war games in Rajasthan.

A witness said, “I was standing nearby. The pilot of the plane ejected and I saw a parachute open. The aircraft crashed to the ground and there was a loud explosion.”

In 2016, the No. 45 Squadron, nicknamed the ‘Flying Daggers’, became the first IAF unit to incorporate the Tejas. The No. 18 Squadron followed suit in 2020, becoming the second IAF unit to operate this aircraft.

Presently, the Indian Air Force manages a fleet of 40 Tejas MK-1 aircraft, with an additional order of 83 Tejas MK-1A fighters valued at over ₹46,000 crore.

Additionally, the Indian Navy utilizes a twin-seater version of the aircraft.