IAF’s Tejas Fighter Jet Crashes During Aerial Display at Dubai Air Show
Dubai, 21st November 2025: A tragic accident at the Dubai Air Show on Friday afternoon claimed the life of an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot after a Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerobatic performance. The incident sent thick black smoke into the air and triggered panic among spectators gathered near the runway.
The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), went down at around 2:10 pm local time while executing a complex manoeuvre. Eyewitnesses, including families and aviation enthusiasts attending the show, rushed away from the impact zone as emergency sirens rang out and smoke spread across the area.
In an official statement, the IAF confirmed the fatality and expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the 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,” the statement read.
The Air Force added that a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash.
Local authorities and IAF representatives are expected to coordinate closely as part of the technical and safety investigation into one of the most serious incidents reported at the international air show in recent years.
