An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday during a flying demonstration at the Dubai Airshow, resulting in the death of the pilot, the IAF confirmed. The accident occurred at approximately 14:10 local time over Al Maktoum International Airport, where the biennial event is being held.
According to official statements, the single-seat Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was performing an aerobatic manoeuvre when it rapidly lost altitude and impacted the ground, triggering a fireball followed by a plume of dense black smoke visible across the airfield. Emergency and firefighting teams responded immediately and secured the crash site.
“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,” the service said.
Eyewitness videos circulating online show the aircraft entering a negative-G manoeuvre before failing to recover. While Tejas is certified for negative-G flight, preliminary indications suggest a loss of control during the manoeuvre. The pilot did not eject.
The Tejas, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a 4.5-generation multirole combat aircraft designed for air-defence, ground-attack, and close-combat operations. The platform has been central to India’s fleet-modernisation effort, with recent procurement contracts bringing the total number of aircraft on order to 180.
Friday’s crash is the second recorded Tejas accident since the programme’s inception. The previous incident occurred in March 2024, when a Tejas Mk-1A went down in Rajasthan; the pilot ejected safely in that case.
The Dubai Airshow, one of the world’s largest aerospace exhibitions, has been hosting major commercial and defence announcements throughout the week. The fatal crash prompted temporary restrictions on flight displays as authorities initiated investigative procedures.
Further details are expected following the completion of the official inquiry.
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