Indian Tejas Fighter Jet Crashes at Dubai Airshow, Pilot Killed in Rare Mid-Air Mishap
An Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerobatic demonstration at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, killing the pilot in a high-profile accident that has sent shockwaves through India’s defence establishment and the global aviation community.
 |
| Image Source: Flight Radar |
The HAL-built Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, which had been performing a loop followed by a negative-G turn, lost altitude rapidly and slammed into the ground in full view of spectators.
Videos shared online showed the aircraft nosediving and exploding in a massive fireball, sending plumes of black smoke into the Dubai sky and prompting an immediate emergency response.
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.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 21, 2025
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…
The Indian Air Force confirmed the pilot suffered fatal injuries, stating: “IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.”
A court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the precise cause of the crash.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as sirens blared across the airfield, which was hosting tens of thousands of visitors.
Emergency teams swiftly secured the area, and the Government of Dubai Media Office confirmed firefighting and medical crews were managing the situation within minutes of the crash. Flying displays resumed roughly two hours later.
General Anil Chauhan, CDS and all ranks of Indian Armed Forces deeply regret the incident in which 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.
— HQ IDS (@HQ_IDS_India) November 21, 2025
We deeply regret the loss of life… https://t.co/LYYPdDWK10
The Tejas that crashed was part of a squadron based in Sulur, Tamil Nadu, and had been in service since 2016. It was the second crash involving the aircraft in over two decades, the first occurred in Rajasthan in March 2024.
Designed to be inherently unstable for high agility, the Tejas relies heavily on a sophisticated fly-by-wire system to maintain control during advanced aerobatics.
Aviation experts reviewing crash footage noted the aircraft appeared to struggle while transitioning from an inverted dive during a high-G manoeuvre, with the jet possibly succumbing to the complex forces of negative gravity, which can disorient pilots and push aircraft systems to their limits.
A Tejas fighter aircraft from India participating in today’s flying display at the Dubai Airshow has crashed, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot. Firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site. pic.twitter.com/LpdE87YjLM
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) November 21, 2025
The tragedy casts a somber shadow over India’s ambitions to market the Tejas as a modern, indigenous alternative to legacy fighter jets. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Tejas is a 4.5-generation all-weather fighter powered by the GE F404-IN20 engine and equipped with nine hardpoints for weapon payloads.
With a top speed of Mach 1.6 and a service ceiling of 50,000 feet, the aircraft has played a central role in India's efforts to reduce reliance on foreign platforms.
The crash comes at a time when India is pitching the Tejas to several foreign buyers and seeking to position it as a viable export in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The display was meant to underscore its combat agility and international readiness.
We end the day with sad news of the loss of an #IndianBrave Air warrior pilot in the Tejas crash at the Dubai Air Show. #LestWeForgetIndia 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Tu7MNTVBLT
— LestWeForgetIndia🇮🇳 (@LestWeForgetIN) November 21, 2025
The Dubai Airshow 2025, one of the world’s largest aerospace exhibitions, had drawn over 150,000 attendees this year, including global defence officials, manufacturers, and aviation enthusiasts.
The fatal accident is a rare occurrence in an event renowned for high safety standards and meticulous choreography.