IAF grounds Tejas fleet after February 7 crash
Orders comprehensive checks of the entire fleet
The entire fleet of 35 Tejas fighter jets in the inventory of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been grounded and is undergoing maintenance checks, sources said.
The decision was taken following a crash on February 7, when a Tejas aircraft veered off the runway while taking off from a forward base along the western front. According to sources, the jet skidded into an adjoining mud ditch.
As the exact cause of the accident is yet to be determined, the IAF has ordered comprehensive checks of the entire fleet. These include inspection of the metallurgy of the undercarriage which holds the wheels as well as the electromagnetic braking system and onboard software.
The pilot of the single-seat aircraft sustained injuries but was safe. At the time of the incident, the jet was accelerating at take-off speed, which can exceed 170 kmph.
Sources said the IAF was conducting a thorough review of all operational Tejas aircraft. However, the Air Force has not issued an official statement on the crash or the temporary grounding of the fleet.
A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to establish the cause of the accident. It is learnt that the aircraft involved may be written off due to damage to its airframe. This marks the third loss of a Tejas aircraft since its induction in 2016.
The first crash occurred near Jaisalmer in March 2024 during a return sortie from a firepower demonstration; the pilot managed to eject safely. The second incident took place in November 2025 during an aerobatic display at the Dubai Airshow, in which the pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, lost his life.
Meanwhile, plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) maintained that the February 7 event was “not a crash” but a minor technical incident on the ground. In a statement, HAL said that as part of standard operating procedure, the issue was being analysed in detail and the company was working closely with the IAF for an early resolution.
HAL also asserted that the LCA Tejas maintains one of the best safety records among contemporary fighter aircraft globally.
Of the 40 Tejas jets originally ordered, 35 are currently in service, with two aircraft yet to be delivered by HAL. The IAF is also awaiting delivery of 180 Tejas Mark 1A jets, with deliveries running behind schedule by two years.
