Tejas Fighter Aircraft Incident at Dubai Air Show: A Detailed Analysis
the recent incident involving a Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) at the Dubai Air Show on November 22, 2025, has sparked considerable discussion within the aviation community. This event, captured on video and widely reported by outlets like Times now, raises critical questions about flight dynamics, recovery procedures, and the overall safety profile of the Tejas platform.This article provides an in-depth examination of the crash,incorporating expert analysis and contextualizing it within the broader landscape of modern fighter aircraft operations. Understanding the nuances of this incident is crucial for both industry professionals and those interested in the advancements – and potential setbacks – in Indian aerospace technology.
Understanding the Crash Dynamics: Stall and Recovery
The incident occurred during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show,a prominent event showcasing the latest advancements in aviation technology. Initial reports and video analysis suggest the aircraft entered a low-speed stall, a condition where the angle of attack exceeds a critical point, disrupting airflow over the wings and causing a loss of lift. As aviation expert Wing Commander Praful Bakshi (Retd.) explained, “Recovery depends on speed – at high speed you recover faster, at low speed you may not. If the speed is low, the aircraft will mush into the ground, and that mush is clearly visible here. The aircraft appears to attempt recovery but continues in the same direction, hits the ground and explodes…”
This observation highlights the critical role of airspeed in regaining control during a stall.
The Tejas, like all modern fighter jets, is equipped with stall warning systems and flight control systems designed to aid in recovery. Though, the effectiveness of these systems is heavily dependent on pilot input, altitude, and airspeed. The video footage appears to show the pilot initiating recovery maneuvers, but the aircraft continued its descent, ultimately impacting the ground and resulting in a fire. The precise reasons for the unsuccessful recovery are currently under inquiry, but factors such as insufficient altitude, delayed pilot response, or a combination of both are likely contributors.
Tejas LCA: Capabilities and Recent Developments
The Tejas is a single-engine, multirole light combat aircraft developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India. It represents a significant step towards indigenous defense production and reducing India’s reliance on foreign military equipment. As of November 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has inducted two squadrons of Tejas Mk.1 aircraft, and orders have been placed for the more advanced Tejas Mk.1A variant, featuring enhanced operational capabilities, including active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile capability, and improved electronic warfare suites.
Recent data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) indicates that india is the world’s top arms importer, accounting for 11.7% of global imports between 2019-2023. The Tejas programme is central to India’s strategy of increasing self-reliance in defense manufacturing, aiming to reduce this dependence. The Mk.1A variant, with its advanced features, is expected to substantially enhance the IAF’s combat capabilities.
Investigating the Incident: Key Areas of Focus
The investigation into the Dubai Air Show incident will likely focus on several key areas:
* flight Data Recorder (FDR) Analysis: The FDR will provide a detailed record of the aircraft’s parameters, including airspeed, altitude, angle of attack, and control surface positions, offering crucial insights into the sequence of events leading to the crash.
* Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Analysis: The CVR will capture the communication between the pilot and air traffic control, as well as any internal cockpit conversations, potentially revealing valuable information about the pilot’s awareness of the situation and any attempted corrective actions.
* Aircraft Maintenance Records: A thorough review of the aircraft’s maintenance history will help determine if any mechanical issues or pre-existing conditions contributed to the incident.
* Pilot Training and Experience: The pilot’s training record and flight experience will be examined to assess their proficiency in handling stall situations and emergency procedures.
