An Indian Air Force (IAF) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas overshot the runway during a landing maneuver following a routine training sortie, while according to sources cited by news agencies, the incident occurred on February 7, though details have emerged recently. Preliminary findings suggest a potential brake failure as the primary cause of the mishap. The aircraft was returning to its airbase after completing a scheduled training flight. Upon touchdown, the pilot attempted to engage the braking system, but the failure caused the jet to veer off the designated landing strip.
Technical Glitch and Grounding Decision
In response to the incident, the Indian Air Force has taken the precautionary measure of grounding the entire fleet of approximately 30 single-seat Tejas fighter jets. According to officials, these aircraft will remain grounded until a thorough technical audit and safety inspection are completed. The grounding is a standard safety protocol aimed at identifying any systemic issues within the braking mechanism or other critical flight systems. The IAF technical teams are currently analyzing the flight data recorders and the mechanical components of the involved aircraft to determine the exact nature of the failure.
Incident Details and Pilot Safety
During the event on February 7, the pilot successfully executed emergency procedures. As the aircraft failed to decelerate on the runway, the pilot managed to eject safely before the jet sustained damage beyond the runway boundary. While the aircraft has reportedly suffered structural damage, no injuries to personnel on the ground were reported. The specific airbase where the incident took place has not been officially disclosed by the authorities, while the IAF has initiated a formal inquiry to investigate the sequence of events leading to the runway excursion.
Historical Context of Tejas Incidents
This incident marks the third significant mishap involving the Tejas fighter jet fleet. The first major accident occurred in March 2024 near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, where a Tejas jet crashed during the 'Bharat Shakti' exercise due to an engine failure. Another incident was reported in November 2025 during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show. These occurrences have prompted the defense establishment to conduct rigorous safety reviews of the indigenous platform to maintain its operational reliability and ensure the safety of the flight crew during high-stakes maneuvers.
Previous Crashes in Jaisalmer and Dubai
The November 2025 crash at the Dubai Air Show occurred during a demonstration flight at Al Maktoum Airport, resulting in the loss of the aircraft and the death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal. In the March 2024 Jaisalmer incident, the aircraft crashed into a residential hostel building after the pilot reported an engine malfunction to the ground control. In that instance, the pilot ejected safely before impact. The current investigation into the brake failure will look for any potential links or recurring technical issues that may have contributed to these past events, focusing strictly on mechanical and system integrity.