The HAL Tejas fighter jet of Indian origin crashed on Friday during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, resulting in the death of its pilot, the Indian Air Force confirmed. The crash occurred between 3:30 and 4:00 pm Indian time, during a mid-air Negative G maneuver display. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick black smoke rising near the airport following the incident.
This was not the first incident involving a Tejas aircraft. The previous crash happened in March 2024 near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Since that period, the Indian Air Force has recorded nine fighter jet crashes, including two involving the Tejas. The aircraft that went down in Dubai belonged to a squadron based in Sulur, Tamil Nadu, and had been operational since 2016.
“A biological effect of the Negative G maneuver could have been the reason behind the crash,” aviation experts told NDTV.
According to specialists, the Negative G maneuver involves the aircraft and pilot being inverted briefly while tracing a loop in the air. During such aerobatic movements, the pilot experiences strong gravitational forces that can disorient or cause loss of consciousness if not properly managed. This occurs due to a sudden rush of blood toward the brain during the inverted posture.
Authorities emphasized that only a comprehensive investigation will determine the exact cause of the accident. Preliminary insights indicate the extreme physical stress of aerobatic maneuvers might have contributed to the tragic outcome.
The Dubai Air Show crash of the HAL Tejas highlights ongoing safety challenges in high-performance flight displays, with expert focus on the physiological risks of Negative G maneuvers.