A tragic crash involving the LCA Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show has claimed the pilot’s life. Read the latest on the IAF investigation, ‘Make in India’ defense setback, and witness accounts.
Tejas Jet Crash Dubai Air Show
The final day of the prestigious Dubai Air Show 2025 was tragically overshadowed by a devastating accident involving India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Tejas), which crashed during an aerial demonstration. The incident, which occurred around 2:10 p.m. local time on Friday, November 21, resulted in the confirmed fatal injury of the pilot, casting a pall over the international aerospace event and plunging India’s defense establishment into mourning.
Eyewitness accounts from the Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central described the single-engine jet performing a maneuver before appearing to lose control, nosediving into the ground and erupting into a fierce fireball and thick black smoke. The distressing crash unfolded in front of thousands of spectators, including international delegates, families, and potential buyers. Emergency and firefighting teams responded rapidly to the scene, but the loss of life was confirmed shortly thereafter by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
In an official statement, the IAF confirmed the tragedy, expressing deep regret and extending condolences to the pilot’s bereaved family. Crucially, the force announced that a formal Court of Inquiry is being immediately constituted to meticulously ascertain the cause of the accident. This probe will examine all factors, including mechanical failure, human error, and environmental conditions during the high-stress aerial display.
