Tejas fighter plane accident in Jaisalmer for the first time, pilot unharmed

During an operational training sortie on Tuesday at about 2 pm, an Indian Air Force Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) crashed close to a residential colony in Jaisalmer. This is the first event of that kind to occur since the aircraft’s initial test flight in 2001. Prior to the disaster, the pilot was able to safely exit the aircraft. Nobody was hurt. The accident’s cause is to be determined by a court of inquiry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior military brass were there for the Bharat Shakti military exercise at Pokhran, where the locally manufactured fighter aircraft was returning to the Jaisalmer air base when the tragedy occurred. Pokhran is about 100 kilometers distant from Jaisalmer.

According to sources, the aircraft crashed into a five-room Bhil community dormitory in Jawahar Nagar, which is close to Jaisalmer. Three students were present in the hostel complex, however they were unharmed despite one of the rooms being damaged by the jet.

The IAF is preparing to replace its aging squadrons of MiG fighter planes with LCA Tejas, which went into service on January 4, 2001, and will eventually constitute the backbone of the force. Although the IAF was authorized to have 42 combat squadrons, only around 30 remain. Sixteen to eighteen aircraft make up a squadron.

There are now two Tejas squadrons in the IAF. No 45 Squadron, the Flying Daggers, was the first IAF Squadron to receive the Tejas in July 2016. Flying Bullets is the second Squadron, formed in 2020.

The aircraft, which is produced by the government-owned Hindustan Aeronautics, is a formidable tool for air combat and air support operations. Its secondary functions include anti-ship operations and reconnaissance.

The Cabinet authorized the purchase of 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer aircraft and 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft for Rs 45,696 crore in February 2021. The Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of an additional 97 LCA-Mk 1As in November 2023, at an estimated cost of Rs 65,000 crore.

A pilot leaves before a collision

According to Air Force officials, a lone pilot was operating the Tejas fighter plane, and he or she safely evacuated just before the accident. He was sent to the Army Hospital right away.

Panic is brought on by fire and explosion.

Following the collision, there was an explosion and the jet caught fire, which caused fear in the area. As soon as nearby people called the fire department, the fire was contained.