SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is urging caution against media speculation surrounding the recent crash of a Tejas Mk1A fighter jet. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, addressed the issue during a recent interview with WION.
Chaudhari emphasized that the cause of the crash remains under investigation by a Court of Inquiry. The court is meticulously examining evidence, including materials recovered from the crash site and statements from the pilot. A final report with the definitive cause of the accident has yet to be submitted to the IAF.
The IAF Chief clarified that the CoI is meticulously analyzing evidence retrieved from the crash site. Additionally, investigators have already interviewed the pilot who managed to eject safely from the aircraft.
The Tejas Mk1A crash marked a somber first for the program. Having successfully flown for over two decades, this incident represented the first accident involving the Tejas since its inaugural flight in 2001.
The crashed aircraft belonged to the IAF’s Second LCA Tejas Squadron and was in the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configuration. This signifies it had undergone rigorous testing and met all operational requirements before being deployed with a squadron. The aircraft was also relatively new, having been operational for only three years.