Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A HAL Tejas combat fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed on Friday afternoon during a demonstration sortie at the Dubai Airshow, triggering an immediate response from emergency crews and prompting organisers to suspend flying displays for the day.
The crash occurred at approximately 2:10 pm local time at Al Maktoum International Airport, where the biennial event is being held. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft lose control mid-maneuver before descending rapidly and erupting into flames. Thick black smoke was visible from several parts of the airshow grounds.
The Indian Air Force confirmed that the pilot tragically lost his life in the crash. Authorities responded immediately at the scene, and airshow organisers suspended flying displays for the day.
The accident follows an online speculation after videos circulated on 18 November 2025, claiming an aircraft had leaked oil during pre-flight ground operations.
On 20th November2025, India’s Press Information Bureau, citing technical inputs, dismissed the claims and clarified that the fluid seen in videos was condensed water drained from the aircraft’s Environmental Control System (ECS) and On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) both of which routinely expel moisture in hot, humid conditions like Dubai.
The Ministry of Defence also termed the online posts “fake”, accusing certain accounts of attempting to discredit the made-in-India fighter.
India had positioned the Tejas as a highlight of its participation at the Dubai Airshow, aiming to demonstrate its indigenous fighter programme to potential export customers.
The crash is expected to draw scrutiny from aviation regulators, technical evaluators and defence analysts. Experts say the outcome of the investigation particularly whether the cause was mechanical, environmental or pilot-related will influence future display permissions and export prospects.
A joint inquiry involving UAE aviation authorities, the Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is expected to begin shortly. Access to the crash site has been restricted, and debris recovery operations are underway.
Airshow organisers briefly halted public movement in open areas after the incident and redirected visitors to indoor exhibition halls.
On 12 March 2024, a Tejas light combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan during an operational training sortie, marking the first crash of the indigenous jet in its 23-year history. The pilot ejected safely, and although the aircraft crashed into a building, there were no civilian injuries.
