Airshow Tejas Fighter Jet Crash: What Happened at Dubai
An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, November 21, 2025, killing the pilot. The accident occurred around 2:10 p.m. local time on the final day of the Middle East’s largest aviation event. Witnesses reported the jet attempting a low roll maneuver before failing to regain altitude, hitting the ground roughly 1.6 kilometres from the main show area, and bursting into flames. Emergency crews reached the site within minutes, and the Indian Air Force confirmed the pilot suffered fatal injuries.
The Tejas was part of the afternoon flying display at an airshow featuring more than 1,500 exhibitors and over 200 aircraft on static and aerial display. This marks the first recorded crash in the Dubai Airshow’s history. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and inducted into service in 2016, the Tejas has faced past delays, design challenges, and weight issues. India signed a $7 billion deal in September for 97 Tejas Mk1A fighters to replace ageing MiG-21 jets. The aircraft involved in Dubai was the Mk1A version, which is central to India’s plan to operate nearly 220 Tejas jets over the next decade.
Prior to the crash, the aircraft was subject to online attention after images circulated showing shopping bags placed under the jet to collect a dripping liquid. The Indian government clarified that this was routine condensation drainage and not a malfunction. This crash is the second known Tejas accident, the first occurring during a 2024 exercise in India. General Electric, the engine supplier, stated it will assist in the investigation, noting that only four of the 99 engines ordered in 2021 had been delivered.
The crash raises questions about the safety of the Tejas programme, India’s defence manufacturing, and its export prospects. Aviation experts caution that it is too early to determine whether the cause was pilot error, mechanical failure, or other factors. Investigators from India and the UAE will examine flight data, engine components, and maintenance records. India is actively marketing the Tejas internationally, and the Dubai crash could influence global perceptions. Authorities emphasized that complex maneuvers at airshows always carry risk, and a full inquiry has been launched to determine the cause and prevent future incidents.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses, while officials continue to assess the implications for India’s fighter fleet and export ambitions.
