HAL says no crash in Tejas incident, calls it 'minor technical issue'

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Monday said there was no crash involving the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and described the reported event as a minor technical incident on ground, following recent media reports.

The clarification comes after one jet reportedly sustained major airframe damage following a runway overshoot at a frontline airbase on February 7. The pilot ejected safely after the aircraft overshot the runway following a suspected brake failure earlier this month, the sources said. The jet was returning to base after a training sortie when the incident occurred.

“There has been no reported crash of the LCA Tejas. The event in question was a minor technical incident on ground,” the company said in a clarification to the exchanges.


HAL shares were trading at Rs 4047.95 apiece on the BSE, down nearly 3 per cent on Monday, as 2.48 PM.

The Bengaluru-based company said the LCA Tejas maintains one of the world’s best safety records among contemporary fighter aircraft.

It added that, as part of standard operating procedure, the issue is being analysed in depth. The company said it is working closely with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for a speedy resolution.

The latest incident also comes as Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) faces delays in supplying the Tejas Mark 1A variant to the IAF.

This is the third accident involving the Tejas aircraft. In March 2024, a Tejas jet crashed near Jaisalmer. In November 2025, another jet crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow.

In February 2021, the defence ministry signed a Rs 48,000 crore contract with HAL to procure 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF. Deliveries have been delayed mainly due to GE Aerospace missing deadlines to supply aero engines for the aircraft.

In September last year, the defence ministry signed another contract worth Rs 62,370 crore with HAL for the procurement of 97 Tejas Mk-1A light combat aircraft.

Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter designed for operations in high-threat environments. It can undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike missions