Indian Aircraft Tejas Crashes at Dubai Airshow; Pilot Dead
TDT | Dubai
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Tragedy struck the final day of the Dubai Airshow 2025 on Friday when an Indian HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration, resulting in the death of the pilot. The incident occurred at approximately 2:10 p.m. local time (10:10 GMT) at Al Maktoum International Airport, where the biennial airshow has attracted over 148,000 attendees and exhibitors from 1,500 companies.
Immediate Response and Evacuation
Officials from the Dubai Media Office and the UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed that firefighters and emergency services responded swiftly. Visitors in the exhibition area were evacuated as a precaution, and parts of the tarmac were cleared. Video footage captured black smoke rising into the air following the crash.
Eyewitnesses reported that the jet executed a low roll moments before nosediving in flames roughly 1.6 km from the main show site. Many attendees described the scene as shocking, with some noting a loud impact when the jet hit the ground.
Indian Armed Forces React
The Indian Air Force (IAF) expressed deep sorrow over the loss, issuing a statement:
"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."
India’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, echoed the sentiment, stating that all ranks of the Indian Army “deeply regret the incident” and stand with the pilot’s family.
About the HAL Tejas Fighter Jet
The HAL Tejas is a single-engine, multirole fighter introduced in 2016 as part of India’s efforts to modernize its air force, which largely relies on Russian and ex-Soviet aircraft. Key details include:
Length: 43 ft 4 in (13.2 m)
Wingspan: 26 ft 11 in (8.2 m)
Weight: 14,300 lb (6,500 kg) empty; 30,900 lb (14,000 kg) max takeoff
Engine: GE F404-GE-IN20 afterburning turbofan (~84 kN thrust)
Top Speed: ~1,380 mph (Mach 1.8 at altitude)
Units Built: ~40–60 (Mk1/Mk1A), with more on order
Powered by General Electric engines, the Tejas plays a critical role in India’s push to expand its indigenous fighter fleet.
Eyewitness Accounts
Attendees described the scene as sudden and alarming. Ashok, a 45-year-old Indian expatriate, said he witnessed the crash with his nephews from the SkyView deck:
"Our excitement turned into utter shock after the jet nosedived and crashed. We heard a loud thud. Thankfully, my nephews did not panic, and we evacuated safely."
Aviation student Saeed Omar added that many spectators were stunned by the plane’s sudden nosedive, emphasizing the shock experienced by the crowd.
Ongoing Investigation
A court of inquiry has been announced by the IAF to determine the cause of the crash. Authorities have not confirmed whether the pilot ejected before the incident or if mechanical failure was involved.
The Dubai Airshow 2025, one of the largest airshows globally, was hosting a series of aerial demonstrations and exhibitions. The tragic crash occurred on its final day, leaving organizers and attendees in shock.
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The Indian Armed Forces brought Tejas fighters and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team. On November 15, the IAF shared photos of the teams arriving at Al Maktoum Airbase.
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