Today in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, a Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas belonging to the Indian Air Force was involved in an unfortunate incident during an operational training sortie. The pilot, fortunately, managed to eject safely before the aircraft's crash. This incident marks the first such occurrence involving this domestically manufactured jet.
According to a statement released by the Air Force, the accident took place during a routine operational training sortie. A Court of Inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the root cause of the mishap.
Videos from the site depict thick, dark smoke emanating from the downed aircraft, while law enforcement officials worked to secure the area.
The crash site is located approximately 100 kilometers away from the ongoing 'Bharat Shakti' war game in the Pokhran desert, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior military officials were present.
Preliminary investigations suggest that engine failure might have contributed to the accident. Sources within the government indicated that the Tejas aircraft, from the 18th squadron of the Indian Air Force, experienced engine issues before the pilot decided to eject over Jaisalmer town.
The Tejas aircraft, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), holds significance as a versatile platform for various air combat roles, including offensive air support and reconnaissance. It's anticipated to become a cornerstone of the Indian Air Force's fleet, with nearly 40 Tejas aircraft of initial variants already inducted.
