Experts decode the final seconds as Tejas Fighter Jet crashes at Dubai Airshow

At 2:08 pm local time on Friday, the Indian Air Force’s Tejas light combat aircraft was executing an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow when the performance took a tragic turn.

Moments after beginning a maneuver, the jet appeared to lose stability, nosedived, and crashed — sending a plume of black smoke into the sky. The pilot, flying an aircraft known for its exceptional safety record, was killed, the IAF confirmed.

This is only the second crash in Tejas’s 24-year service history, raising urgent questions about what went wrong — especially a day after the government dismissed rumors of an oil leak involving the aircraft, according to India Today.

The final seconds: what experts say

Aviation specialists believe the pilot was performing a barrel roll, a maneuver where the jet rotates fully around its axis — momentarily in an inverted position — before completing the roll. Although not inherently dangerous, it demands precise control, correct altitude, and sufficient speed.

On Friday, Tejas began a loop, pulling up and transitioning into an inverted position. It was expected to climb again, but the jet failed to regain altitude. Analysts suggest two key possibilities — the aircraft was too low to safely complete the maneuver and two, the jet likely lacked the necessary speed to pull out of the descent.

These factors may have combined, leaving the pilot with no room to recover.

Some experts have not ruled out an engine flameout, which could instantly rob the jet of thrust needed to exit the maneuver.

The aircraft plays a critical role in the IAF’s modernization drive, especially as the aging MiG-21 fleet has now been completely retired.

The Indian Air Force has yet to release the official cause of the crash, but a detailed investigation is underway.