2025 HAL Tejas Dubai Air Show crash

On 21 November 2025, a HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) of the Indian Air Force crashed during a flying display at the Dubai Air Show at Al Maktoum International Airport.

The aircraft, which is part of the Indian Air Force fleet, crashed while performing a maneuver in an aerobatic display. The pilot died in the crash.https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/tejas-fighter-jet-crashes-at-dubai-air-show-9676350 The crash happened during a barrel roll maneuver, but a full official investigation is still ongoing.https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/lca-tejas-crashes-in-dubai-whats-negative-g-manoeuvre-9677032 The Tejas jet was displaying India’s 4.5-generation multirole combat aircraft capabilities at the international airshow.

The Indian Air Force confirmed the pilot’s death and said a court of inquiry has been started to find the cause of the crash.

This was the second crash in the history of the Tejas program since it entered service in 2015. The Tejas is a single-engine, delta-wing fighter made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as part of India’s program to modernize the Indian Air Force.

Around 14:10–14:15 local time on 21 November 2025, the Tejas was performing an aerobatic demonstration when it lost control and nosedived into the ground near the airfield. The crash caused a large fireball and thick black smoke that could be seen from the venue. Eyewitnesses and video footage showed the aircraft in a steep nosedive before it exploded.

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Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 2025