NEW DELHI – India’s first locally-built fighter aircraft Tejas crashed in northern state of Rajasthan on Tuesday.
In a statement, Indian media reported that pilot of the fighter jet managed to eject safely and landed on the ground without sustaining any injuries.
The light multirole fighter crashed into a student hostel compound in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, during a training flight and caused inferno at the crash site. Indian jets are prone to such crashes and this incident marks the first crash of Tejas aircraft since its inaugural test flight.
Following the crash, an inquiry was launched by Indian air force.
Indian jets are known for flying coffins. IAF claimed to have rigorous testing, maintenance, and safety procedures to ensure the airworthiness and safety of pilots.
In recent years, New Delhi ground all its Soviet-era Russian fighter jets, MiG-21, as several officers were killed in multiple crashes. Several of these aging aircraft have been involved in fatal crashes.
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