Investigators have started piecing together the moments leading up to the shocking crash of India’s Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Airshow where the aircraft went down during an aerobatic display. The crash happened in front of hundreds of spectators, turning a routine performance into a tragic incident.
According to early assessments shared by aviation analysts, the Tejas jet was performing a high-speed aerial maneuver when something went wrong.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft rise sharply, tilt into an inverted position, and then descend faster than expected. Instead of regaining altitude, the jet continued dropping until it struck the ground. The pilot lost his life in the crash, and the Indian Air Force later confirmed his death.
Specialists reviewing the flight footage say the maneuver required precise timing and enough height for recovery. Their analysis suggests that the jet may have attempted the move too close to the ground, leaving limited room to stabilize before impact.
Some experts believe the aircraft did not achieve the speed needed to pull out of the descent. Others have raised the possibility of a sudden engine issue in the final moments.
The crash is a significant setback for India, as this marks the second Tejas loss in two years. The aircraft is an important part of India’s fleet especially after the retirement of older fighter jets.
Indian authorities have not yet released an official explanation and are continuing their investigation. Technical teams are examining both mechanical data and pilot response to determine whether the cause was human error, a systems failure or a combination of factors. Further findings are expected once the full inquiry is completed.
