IAF Tejas Crashes at Dubai Airshow on Final Day; Prior Fuel Leak and Multiple Technical Fault Lines Under Probe

Dubai — An Indian Air Force HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed during the final afternoon display of the Dubai Airshow 2025, sending thick black smoke rising from the far end of Al Maktoum International Airport and bringing the closing schedule to an abrupt halt. The aircraft, flying as part of India’s aerobatic and export-pitch segment, went down moments after entering a high-energy demonstration routine. Emergency services reached the site within minutes, but officials at the scene indicated the aircraft was completely destroyed and that the pilot had been unable to eject. The loss is expected to intensify scrutiny of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), whose Tejas programme has faced recurring development delays, integration hurdles, and reliability concerns for decades.

The crash unfolded in view of thousands of spectators, delegates, defence officials, and international aviation teams positioned across the tarmac and VIP stands. Several witnesses reported seeing the jet “lose lift abruptly,” “roll out of alignment,” and “drop nose-first” before impact. Videos circulating from the crowd show the aircraft attempting a steep climbing turn, followed by a noticeable loss of thrust and control.

Aircraft Had Reported Fuel Leak a Day Earlier

A significant new detail emerged from Turkish defence outlet SavunmaSanayiST, which reported that the same Tejas unit had experienced a fuel leak during Thursday’s pre-show inspection. Ground crew reportedly observed traces of leakage around the fuselage section housing the engine feed system. While the aircraft was subsequently cleared for take-off after technical checks, the earlier issue is now a central focus of investigators.

Fuel-system irregularities, even minor ones, can escalate during high-G manoeuvres, where pressure gradients and feed angles change rapidly. Aviation engineers say such a leak could indicate deeper problems inside fuel lines, pumps, seals, or the venting architecture.

Crash Occurred During High-Stress Aerobatic Transition

The Tejas entered the manoeuvre sequence at a comparatively low altitude, typical for airshow routines but inherently unforgiving if energy is lost. Airshow analysts reviewing footage say the aircraft appeared to encounter “simultaneous energy decay and loss of control authority,” suggesting a possible chain reaction of faults rather than a single failure.

The jet also seemed to “droop” out of its roll angle, a potential sign of asymmetric control response or a stall onset during a high-load turn.

Investigators Eye Technical Chain Reaction

Although officials say a formal inquiry has only just begun, several aviation specialists on the ground noted the possibility of a cascading technical failure unfolding mid-manoeuvre — a risk amplified during high-G aerobatic displays.

Witness accounts and emerging footage suggest the aircraft may have suffered energy loss and control degradation, but experts caution that deeper structural or systems-level faults cannot be ruled out.

A range of suspected technical factors are understood to be under examination, including:

Structural Load Failures

Investigators are analysing whether the jet encountered structural stress during a high-G pull, including potential wing-spar cracking, delamination, or tailplane overload. High-speed camera footage from the airshow is expected to help determine whether a control surface flutter — caused by loosened hinges or worn components, contributed to loss of stability.

Control System Disruptions

Technical teams are also reviewing the possibility of jammed ailerons or elevator inputs, hydraulic pressure drops, or linkage failures that could have limited the pilot’s control authority as the aircraft transitioned between manoeuvres.

Power-Plant and Fuel System Issues

Following Thursday’s reported fuel leak, the crash investigation is expected to scrutinise the Tejas’ fuel-delivery and engine-governance systems, including scenarios such as fuel starvation during negative-G moments, compressor stall, or a sudden engine seizure that could stall the jet during a vertical climb.

Electrical and Avionics Interruptions

Given the aircraft’s reliance on electronic flight-control architecture, specialists are assessing whether an electrical bus failure or avionics dropout may have interfered with the jet’s fly-by-wire logic, attitude indicators, or stability-augmentation during the aerobatic sequence.

Stability and Trim Anomalies

A runaway trim input, pitching the jet sharply nose-up or nose-down, is another scenario under review, particularly as trim system faults can rapidly overwhelm a pilot during low-altitude demonstrations.

Footage and Data Recorders to Guide Probe

Authorities have cordoned off the crash zone, and recovery teams are searching for onboard data modules and telemetry logs transmitted during the routine display. Airshow officials say a full technical report will follow once investigators from Dubai, India, and independent aviation bodies complete their assessment.

The Dubai Airshow, one of the world’s largest aerospace exhibitions, had drawn delegations from dozens of countries, with the Tejas participating as part of India’s pitch to expand the jet’s export prospects. The crash now places renewed attention on the programme’s long-running developmental bottlenecks, ranging from weight overruns and avionics delays to structural revisions and persistent reliability questions, many of which have trailed HAL’s efforts to market the aircraft abroad.

Further updates are expected as more verified information becomes available.