The Dubai Airshow 2025 concluded on a tragic note as India’s indigenous fighter jet, Tejas, crashed during a stunt performance, resulting in the pilot’s death. The incident occurred at approximately 2:10 PM on the final day of the event, marking the first major accident in the airshow’s history since its inception in 1986. Aviation analyst Saj Ahmad of StrategicAero Research suggested that the crash was likely caused by the stunt being performed too close to the ground, leaving insufficient space for the pilot to recover. The incident, captured on multiple cameras, is under investigation, with experts calling for a reevaluation of high-risk airshow displays. Tejas, developed by India’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a single-engine, multirole light combat aircraft designed to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet. Its development began in the 1980s, with its first flight taking place in 2001. The Indian Air Force has been a regular participant at the Dubai Airshow, showcasing its latest innovations and technologies. This tragic event has raised concerns about the safety of such high-profile airshow performances and may lead to stricter regulations in the future.
Dubai Airshow incident: What could have caused the crash of India’s fighter jet Tejas?
