Tejas Aircraft Crashes at Dubai Air Show

An Indian Air Force Tejas Light Combat Aircraft crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show, resulting in the death of the pilot and marking only the second recorded accident in the fighter’s 24-year history. The incident, witnessed by thousands at one of the world’s largest aviation exhibitions, has renewed focus on the aircraft’s capabilities, safety record and development journey.

Details of the Dubai Air Show Accident

The crash occurred at around 2.15 pm local time as the LCA was performing aerobatic manoeuvres at low altitude. Eyewitness footage showed the aircraft suddenly pitching downward before exploding on impact. Emergency teams responded swiftly, but the pilot succumbed to injuries. The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to determine the cause.

Negative G Manoeuvre and Possible Factors

Initial accounts suggest the jet failed to recover from a negative G-force turn. Such manoeuvres, part of the aircraft’s certified aerobatic profile, can induce disorientation or impair pilot control if recovery is delayed. Negative G creates a weightless state as the aircraft accelerates downward, shifting blood flow and affecting response time. Experts note that Tejas is capable of such manoeuvres, but precision is critical during display routines.

Review of the 2024 Jaisalmer Crash

The only previous Tejas accident took place in March 2024 during a training sortie near Jaisalmer. The fighter came down shortly after take-off, but the pilot survived after ejecting safely using the zero-zero ejection seat. A court of inquiry followed, and officials reaffirmed the aircraft’s strong performance track record built over decades of operational testing.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Tejas received final operational clearance as a weaponised fighter in 2019.
• The jet was officially named “Tejas” in 2003.
• The aircraft is India’s first indigenously developed fighter platform.
• Only two crashes have occurred since its maiden flight in 2001.

Key Features and Development of Tejas

Tejas is a fourth-generation, single-engine, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and produced by HAL. The Mk-1A variant includes AESA radar, an electronic warfare suite and air-to-air refuelling capability. Despite its compact airframe, Tejas can carry a broad range of modern weapons including precision-guided munitions and beyond-visual-range missiles. Highly agile and built with composite materials, it forms a core component of India’s fleet modernisation, with additional units on order and new variants under development.