Fri Nov 21 12:03:54 UTC 2025: News Article: LCA Tejas Crashes at Dubai Airshow, Pilot Killed; Negative G Turn Suspected
Dubai, UAE – An Indian Air Force (IAF) LCA Tejas fighter jet crashed during an air show in Dubai, resulting in the death of the pilot, the IAF confirmed in a statement. Preliminary assessments by aviation experts suggest the crash occurred while the aircraft was performing a negative G turn.
Videos from the airshow indicate the Tejas lost altitude while attempting to recover from a loop maneuver. Negative G forces, experienced during aerobatics and sudden descents, can cause disorientation if not properly managed. Pilots undergo specialized training to mitigate these effects.
The crashed aircraft was part of a squadron based in Sulur, Tamil Nadu, and had been in service since 2016. The LCA Tejas, recently touted as the IAF’s next “workhorse” following the decommissioning of the MiG-21, boasts a strong safety record, with this being only the second crash in 24 years. The previous incident occurred in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, in March 2024, 23 years after the aircraft’s initial test flight.
The LCA Tejas is designed with inherent instability to enhance agility, requiring a sophisticated fly-by-wire system for stabilization, a design element also found in the American F-16. A thorough investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the crash.
First Piper 