Daijiworld Media Network - Coimbatore (SR)
Coimbatore, Jul 2: The pilot of an LCA Tejas fighter jet from IAF had to drop the spare fuel tank over an empty farm land near Coimbatore on Tuesday after it caught fire.
The plane landed safely at nearby Sulur Air Force Station.
The Air Force authorities said they have started an investigation into the incident and the reason behind tank fall is unclear.
The jet was on a training mission when the fuel tank was dropped over the farmland at Irugur. The incident led to a fire on the farmland. This is a first such incident involving Tejas since it was inducted in 2001.
Based in Sulur, the Tejas fighter aircraft routinely carry one or more external fuel tanks to boost range and endurance.