An Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during a high-profile aerial display at the Dubai Air Show on Tuesday, killing the pilot and sending shockwaves through India’s defence community and international aviation circles. The accident occurred during an aerobatic routine when the light combat aircraft suddenly lost altitude and went down beyond the runway area, erupting into flames moments after impact.
Emergency crews at the venue rushed to the scene and attempted to extinguish the blaze, but officials later confirmed that the pilot — a senior IAF test flyer with extensive experience — did not survive the crash. His identity is being withheld until the family is notified.
Eyewitnesses said the aircraft appeared stable during the earlier moments of the manoeuvre before it seemed to stall mid-turn. Video clips shared online show the jet descending rapidly with no visible ejection, raising questions about whether the pilot had enough time or altitude to attempt escape.
This was the first time the Tejas was performing a full-scale demo at the Dubai Air Show, a major global event attended by aircraft manufacturers, defence officials, and military delegations from around the world. The jet had already impressed observers in earlier practice runs, showcasing India’s ambitions to market the aircraft internationally.
The Indian Air Force called the loss “deeply tragic” and said an inquiry team would work closely with UAE authorities to determine the cause of the crash. Defence Minister officials in New Delhi said the government is in touch with the UAE administration and has requested full access to technical data and flight recordings.
Experts say investigations will focus on engine performance, manoeuvre load limits, and possible avionics failures — although they caution that drawing conclusions too early would be premature.
The Tejas program, a flagship of India’s push for indigenous defence manufacturing, has already seen export interest from several countries. The crash, analysts say, will raise difficult questions but is unlikely to derail long-term plans, as airshows often involve high-risk display routines.
Flags were lowered at IAF bases as tributes poured in for the pilot, remembered by colleagues as one of India’s finest display professionals. “He died doing what he loved — flying for the nation,” one senior officer said.
The Dubai Air Show organisers announced that further aerobatic displays would be reviewed for safety while authorities continued clearing debris from the crash site.