HAL clarifies no Tejas crash took place, terms runway episode minor ground incident

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Monday dismissed media reports claiming that a HAL Tejas fighter jet had crashed, clarifying that the recent episode was a minor incident on ground and not an aircraft crash.

In a statement issued on Monday, the company said, “HAL acknowledges the recent media reports on the LCA Tejas incident and wishes to provide factual clarification. There has been no reported crash of the LCA Tejas. The event in question was a minor technical incident on ground.”

The state-owned aerospace major emphasised that the LCA Tejas continues to maintain “one of the world’s best safety records among contemporary fighter aircraft.”

HAL further said the matter is being analysed in detail in accordance with standard operating procedures.

The company also mentioned that it is working closely with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for a speedy resolution.

The clarification comes after reports on Sunday claimed that a Tejas fighter jet suffered substantial airframe damage after reportedly overshooting the runway at a frontline airbase, allegedly due to a suspected brake failure.

According to PTI, citing sources, the pilot had ejected safely.

The aircraft was returning to base after a routine training sortie when the incident took place.

In the aftermath, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is understood to have grounded its fleet of around 30 single-seat Tejas aircraft to carry out comprehensive technical inspections.

The development weighed on investor sentiment, with shares of HAL declining more than 3 per cent during the day’s trading session.

The latest episode marks the third accident involving a Tejas aircraft in recent years.

In March 2024, a Tejas jet crashed near Jaisalmer during an operational sortie.

Another incident took place in November last year during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow.

The Tejas is a single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft built for operations in high-threat environments, with capabilities that include air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike missions.

With inputs from agencies