A Tejas fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed on February 7 as it was in the process of taking off from a forward base along the western front. The aircraft veered off the runway at the IAF base into an adjoining mud-ditch, according to sources.They said the pilot of the single-seater aircraft was safe, but sustained injuries in the accident as the plane was moving at take-off speed, which could be in excess of 170 km per hour,According to the sources, the IAF is carrying out a thorough check of the entire fleet of Tejas. However, the Air Force has not made an official statement on the serious accident, which had led to the grounding of the fleet.It is further learnt that the Court of Inquiry had been ordered in the incident that would established the cause behind the crash. It is possible the aircraft is written off due to damages on its airframe. This is the third Tejas aircraft be lost since its induction in 2016.The fighter jet had faced its first crash near Jaisalmer in March 2024, when the aircraft crashed while coming back from a firepower demonstration. The pilot had managed to eject successfully.The second crash happened in November 2025, when the fighter jet was involved in an aerobatic display at the Dubai Airshow. The tragic accident had cost its pilot Wing Commander Namansh Syal his life.In all, 40 Tejas jets were ordered. Plane maker HAL is yet to deliver two Tejas. Besides, the IAF is also awaiting the delivery of the Tejas Mark 1A, 180 of which have been ordered so far, with deliveries running behind schedule by two years.