Seconds into low-level roll, Tejas crashes at Dubai show; pilot killed

New Delhi: An indigenous Tejas fighter jet crashed at the Dubai air show on Friday while performing low-level aerobatics in front of a crowd of spectators. The sole pilot did not survive the crash which took place within a split second as the aircraft was performing a low-level roll. There were no injuries on the ground.

This is the first fatal crash involving the Tejas manufactured by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, though in March last year, one fighter was lost following an engine malfunction while returning from a fire power display at the Pokhran ranges in Rajasthan. The pilot, in that incident, managed to eject on time and escape major injuries.

Confirming the fatal crash, the Indian Air Force said an inquiry has been ordered into the accident. "IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident," the air force said.


The air force later identified the pilot flying the ill-fated aircraft as Wing Commander Namansh Syal.

Multiple photos and videos emerged of the accident which showed the Tejas performing a low-level manoeuvre and then hurtling down towards the ground too quickly to recover.

Firefighters at the airshow were deployed quickly and no ground injuries have been reported. Details pertaining to the cause of the accident have not been shared yet.

The Tejas aircraft had earlier been subject to a fake news campaign at the Dubai air show when images appeared on social media showing a liquid dripping from its underside after a flight. This was clarified to be a standard procedure to drain condensed water from a fighter jet after flight in a humid environment.

In March last year, the first crash involving a Tejas fighter took place when the jet lost power on landing approach to Jaisalmer. An engine fault was found to be the reason behind the crash, as it seized up during flight.

The IAF currently operates two squadrons of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft - No 45 and No 10 - and has an additional 180 of an upgraded variant on order. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is also developing a Mk2 version of the jet that will be powered by a higher thrust engine.