India’s state-owned aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has formally refuted circulating media reports characterizing a recent incident involving its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft as a crash. The company issued an official statement clarifying that the event constituted merely “a minor technical incident on the ground” rather than an aerial mishap.
Addressing speculation that emerged on Monday, February 23, 2026, HAL utilized social media platform X to provide factual corrections regarding the aircraft’s condition. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting substantial airframe damage from suspected brake failure, the aerospace firm emphasized the Tejas platform’s exceptional safety credentials, noting it maintains “one of the world’s best safety records among contemporary fighter aircraft.”
The manufacturer revealed that following standard operational protocols, a comprehensive analysis of the technical issue is underway. HAL confirmed it is collaborating closely with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to implement resolutions promptly. This cooperative investigation aims to determine the root cause of the ground incident while ensuring continued operational reliability.
Initial media accounts had described a scenario where the combat aircraft reportedly experienced system malfunctions during return to base following a training sortie, allegedly necessitating pilot ejection. These reports suggested the incident represented the latest in a series of technical challenges for the platform, with some outlets indicating the IAF had temporarily grounded the fleet—a claim not addressed in HAL’s current statement.
The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny of India’s domestic defense manufacturing capabilities and follows recent aviation safety discussions within the region regarding various aircraft platforms.