Tejas Fighter Crashes at Dubai Airshow, Pilot Killed
India’s indigenous combat jet plunges to the ground during final day demonstration before horrified crowds; aircraft performing negative-G manoeuvre when control lost at low altitude
DUBAI/NEW DELHI: In a major setback on Friday, a Tejas fighter jet crashed in a fireball during an aerial demonstration at the Dubai Airshow 2025, killing its pilot before hundreds of shocked spectators.
At 2:13pm local time, the lightweight, single-engine Tejas failed to gain altitude and crashed within seconds, killing the pilot and sending shockwaves through the airshow. The Indian Air Force confirmed that the pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident, marking the second crash of the indigenous fighter in less than two years.
‘He Tried to Save the Spectators’
Videos of the accident showed the aircraft rolling onto its back and diving towards the ground but being unable to pull up in time to avoid a collision with the surface. An eyewitness reported that the jet was performing a negative G manoeuvre when it was already pretty low, then recovered and went straight into the ground.
Indian expat Shajudheen Jabbar, who witnessed the tragedy with his wife and daughter, told reporters his belief that the pilot made a final sacrifice. “From the way the flight turned before it went down, I strongly feel the pilot tried to save the spectators. It’s so unfortunate that he couldn’t escape. We are deeply saddened that someone died before our eyes”, Jabbar said.
Black smoke rose over Al Maktoum International Airport as emergency vehicles sped to the crash site, with thick plumes billowing into the air as onlookers watched in shock. Winston Lobo, a Dubai resident living near the airport, described hearing the impact. “I heard a loud bang…I honestly thought piles of pipes had tumbled down. The jet went down in a rubble area very close to our community”, the advertising professional said.
Air Force Expresses Deep Grief
The Indian Air Force released a statement confirming the tragedy. “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”.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces expressed deep regret over the incident. The identity of the pilot has not been officially released by authorities.
Swift Emergency Response
Rescue operations were launched within minutes, with emergency response teams including Civil Defence, police and paramedics rushing to the crash site. A helicopter landed as first responders secured the area. Dubai Media Office confirmed that firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly and managed the situation on-site.
The aerial display was temporarily halted, with organisers declaring a pause as emergency operations were mobilised. After nearly an hour-long pause, the aerial display resumed at 3:40 pm, though several scheduled aircraft remained grounded. The show culminated with the UAE’s Al Fursan team performing precision aerobatics, and the airshow concluded at 5:30 pm, its final day overshadowed by the tragic accident.
Indian Embassy and Consulate teams reached the site immediately and are extending all assistance to authorities and the bereaved family.
Second Tejas Crash in Two Years
This is the second crash in 24 years for the Tejas programme. The first major incident occurred on March 12, 2024, near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, when a Tejas aircraft crashed during a tri-service exercise and the pilot ejected safely. Prior to that, the aircraft had maintained an accident-free record since its first flight in 2001 and induction in 2016.
A key difference between the incidents: in March 2024 the pilot safely ejected and survived; in the November 2025 event the pilot was killed. Additionally, the Dubai Airshow crash occurred in a demonstration context before spectators, raising questions about display flight safety.
Indigenous Fighter’s Strategic Importance
The Tejas, meaning “brilliance” in Hindi, is a domestically designed and built fighter jet that was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2016. The HAL Tejas has been a key symbol of New Delhi’s attempt to modernise its air force fleet, especially as China helps neighbouring Pakistan shore up its own air capabilities.
The lightweight, single-engine jet is expected to bolster India’s depleted fighter fleet as China expands its military presence in South Asia, including by strengthening defense ties with India’s rival Pakistan. In September, India’s Defence Ministry signed a $7 billion contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to procure 97 Tejas Mk1A jets.
Technical Specifications
The HAL Tejas light combat aircraft represents India’s push for home-grown fighter capability under the “Make in India” strategy. This agile, compact, single-engine multirole jet is designed for air defense and ground-attack missions, featuring a delta-wing design. The Tejas features a Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seat, allowing pilots to eject safely even at zero altitude and zero speed during take-off, landing or low-level maneuvers.
The upgraded Mk 1A version includes AESA radar, electronic warfare suite, BVR missiles, air-to-air refuelling capability and higher indigenous content.
