What Happened At Dubai
On 21 November 2025, an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet went down during a flying demo at the Dubai Airshow, in one of the most serious accidents in the show’s history.
During an aerobatic routine at Al Maktoum International Airport, the single-seat LCA Tejas suddenly entered a steep nose-down attitude and impacted the ground near the runway, erupting in flames in full view of spectators. The pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal of the Indian Air Force, was the only person on board and was killed in the crash despite a rapid emergency response.
The aircraft had successfully completed earlier displays at the same show, and this flight was part of its final demonstration sequence. The crash temporarily halted flying, but the airshow later resumed — a decision that drew criticism from some pilots and observers.
Probable Cause & Investigation
- Videos show the jet performing a negative-G, high-energy manoeuvre at low altitude just seconds before impact, leaving very little room to recover once the attitude worsened.
- The Indian Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry; officials have not yet confirmed whether the primary cause was pilot error, mechanical failure, or a combination of factors.
- Analysts point out that high-performance airshow routines deliberately operate close to the aircraft’s envelope, which increases spectacle but also amplifies risks if anything goes wrong.
HAL & Official Responses
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which builds the Tejas, described the crash as an “isolated occurrence under exceptional circumstances” and stated that it does not expect long-term disruption to the Tejas programme or export prospects, though shares dipped immediately after the news.
The Indian Air Force and Dubai authorities expressed condolences for Wing Commander Syal and promised full cooperation in the investigation, while aviation safety experts have renewed calls for stricter rules on low-altitude aerobatics at mixed civilian-military shows.
