Tejas jet sustains major damage after runway overrun; brakes suspected
Tejas jet sustains major damage after runway overrun; brakes suspected
A Tejas fighter jet suffered hard airframe damage after overshooting a runway during a training sortie; pilot ejected safely and fleet is under safety review.
A Tejas light combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force sustained major damage to its airframe after overshooting the runway at a frontline airbase during a training sortie on February 7. The incident involved a suspected brake failure, and an emergency response was triggered as investigations began.
The pilot ejected safely and escaped uninjured, with no official IAF statement issued yet as the probe continues. The February 7 mishap marks the third accident involving Tejas jets since the aircraft entered service in 2015, underscoring ongoing safety and reliability questions for the fleet.
The first Tejas accident occurred near Jaisalmer in March 2024, and the second happened in November 2025 during a Dubai Airshow display in which the pilot lost his life. In response to the latest incident, the IAF and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) ordered a fleet-wide grounding for a comprehensive technical scrutiny of the aircraft. The Tejas is designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and manufactured by HAL, with capabilities spanning air defense, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles. The force currently operates around 30 Tejas jets.
Officials said the investigation will assess whether the runway excursion resulted from a brake fault or another system issue and will aim to prevent a recurrence across the fleet.
