‘Some Level Of Malfunctioning’: Defence Secretary On ‘Minor Accident’ Involving Tejas On Feb 7

Last Updated:February 28, 2026, 23:12 IST

Rajesh Kumar Singh, who was speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, acknowledged that 'there is some damage to the aircraft'

Nearly three weeks after an incident involving an LCA Tejas of the Indian Air Force at a frontline airbase, more official details have emerged. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has termed it a minor accident on the ground, while indicating that the event involved “some level of malfunctioning".

Speaking at the Rising Bharat event of Network18 on Saturday, the Defence Secretary said, “It was relatively a minor accident. It did not involve an ejection. The pilot was safe." He also acknowledged that “there is some damage to the aircraft".

“It involved some level of malfunctioning, that is why… the entire aircraft fleet is still operational, but meanwhile, the precautionary checks are being done with respect to this particular element. So I would say that it’s not that serious an accident, but nonetheless, as a precaution, we are ensuring that the safety checks are done, which is why everybody’s been saying that they didn’t partake in Vayu Shakti, which, well, that was the reason," he added.

Singh also lauded the safety record of the aircraft in comparison with its contemporaries. However, there was no further clarity on whether the airframe involved in the accident will be restored to full operational status.

The incident occurred at Naliya Airbase of the Indian Air Force on February 7. Sources confirmed that it took place when the aircraft was preparing for takeoff. The Indian Air Force did not issue a detailed public statement on the episode. However, the aircraft’s absence from the Vayu Shakti demonstration indicated that it had been held back following the incident, prompting comprehensive checks.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had earlier issued a statement acknowledging media reports and clarified that it was not a crash but “a minor technical incident on ground". The company said the issue was being analysed in depth and that it was working closely with the Indian Air Force for an early resolution.

The HAL Tejas programme has seen a handful of incidents over the years, though far fewer than the legacy fleets it is replacing. In 2024, a Tejas Mk1 crashed near Jaisalmer during an operational sortie, marking the first crash after induction; the pilot ejected safely. In November 2025, a Tejas participating in the Dubai Airshow crashed during a flying display, triggering a formal inquiry and global scrutiny. Unlike those crashes, the February 7 episode has been officially described as an incident and not a crash. However, it has led to precautionary checks across the Tejas fleet.

News india ‘Some Level Of Malfunctioning’: Defence Secretary On ‘Minor Accident’ Involving Tejas On Feb 7

Read More