An Indian Air Force (IAF) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1 crashed during a high-profile aerial demonstration at the Dubai Air Show on Friday, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot. The incident occurred around 2:10 pm local time at Al Maktoum International Airport, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the sky and shocking thousands of spectators on the final day of the biennial event.
The IAF confirmed the loss in an official statement posted on social media X: “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident.”
Videos circulating widely on social media captured the single-engine fighter jet losing altitude rapidly during a maneuver, plunging to the ground, and erupting into a fireball upon impact. Eyewitnesses reported no visible ejection from the cockpit, and emergency teams, including firefighters and helicopters, rushed to the scene. The Dubai Media Office also confirmed the pilot’s death, noting that the situation was brought under control within about 45 minutes, with the flying displays temporarily halted.
What Happened During the Display?
Initial assessments by aviation experts, based on video footage, suggest the Tejas was executing a demanding aerobatic routine, possibly involving a loop or negative-G maneuver (where forces push in the opposite direction of gravity).
The aircraft appeared to lose control while attempting to recover level flight, leading to a sudden loss of altitude. Negative-G forces can cause disorientation or blood pooling in the head if not managed properly, though pilots are extensively trained for such scenarios.
While speculation includes factors like high temperatures in Dubai reducing lift, a fly-by-wire system glitch, or pilot error under stress, only a thorough investigation will determine the exact cause. The Tejas features advanced safety systems, including a quadruplex fly-by-wire flight control and a Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seat.
About the LCA Tejas
The Tejas is India’s indigenously developed 4.5-generation multirole fighter, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Key facts:
First flight: January 4, 2001
Inducted into IAF: July 2016 (first squadron: No. 45 ‘Flying Daggers’)
Capabilities: Single-engine, supersonic, delta-wing design; can carry up to 4,000 kg payload; maximum takeoff weight ~13,300 kg
Roles: Air defense, ground attack, maritime strike
Variants: Mk-1 (current), upcoming Mk-1A with upgrades; a major boost to India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative
The crashed aircraft was from an IAF squadron based in Sulur, Tamil Nadu, and had been in service since 2016. This marks only the second crash in the Tejas program’s history:
The first occurred on March 12, 2024, near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan (pilot ejected safely; cause attributed to engine seizure).
Despite thousands of flight hours, the Tejas has maintained one of the IAF’s best safety records, especially as it replaces aging MiG-21s.
Context of the Dubai Air Show 2025
The event, running from November 17-21, featured over 1,500 exhibitors from 150 countries, with major deals from airlines like Emirates and FlyDubai.
India’s participation highlighted its growing defense exports, with the Tejas making its international debut alongside the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team. Just a day prior, the Ministry of Defence debunked fake social media claims of an “oil leakage” in the Tejas, clarifying it was a routine procedure.
The crash comes amid IAF’s expansion plans, including induction of 97 advanced Tejas Mk-1A jets approved earlier in 2025.
List of all air crashes in the last 5 years during air show
November 21, 2025 – Dubai Airshow, UAE: HAL Tejas LCA fighter jet crashed during demonstration flight. 1 fatality (pilot).
August 28, 2025 – Radom Air Show rehearsal, Radom, Poland: Polish Air Force F-16C crashed. 1 fatality (pilot).
August 14, 2025 – Airshow off Suncoast Beach, Durban, South Africa: Extra EA-300LP impacted water during display. 1 fatality (pilot).
March 28, 2025 – Australian International Airshow, Avalon, Australia: Wolf Pitts S-1-11X crashed during aerobatic display.
