DUBAI: Investigators are examining whether the pilot who died when an Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed at the Dubai Airshow descended below the mandated 300-foot minimum for aerobatic displays or breached approved flying protocols, aviation officials said on Saturday.
The inquiry is being led jointly by the UAE civil aviation authority, the country’s armed forces aviation division and the Dubai Airshow’s Flying Control Committee (FCC), officials said.
Investigators are analysing radar tracks, flight-path recordings and high-resolution video to establish the jet’s altitude profile and the sequence of manoeuvres in the moments before impact.
The FCC is also reviewing whether any aerobatic moves had not been formally cleared for the display, the officials added.
A separate technical investigation is seeking to determine if the aircraft suffered a sudden loss of power, a control-system malfunction or another mechanical failure that prevented recovery, the authorities said.
No final determination will be made until cockpit data, maintenance logs and approved display documentation have been fully examined, they warned.
First fatal display accident at Dubai Airshow
The Dubai Airshow, which has been held biennially since 1989, had not recorded a fatal flying-display accident until Friday’s crash.
The incident halted that day’s demonstrations and drew international attention to the probe, organisers and officials said.
Market reaction to Tejas crash
Shares of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-owned aerospace and defence company, fell by about 2–3 per cent during the Indian market’s closing session after the crash, Economic Times reported.
The publication reported that the sell-off reflected investor concern about defence manufacturing stocks following a high-profile operational incident.
HAL, established in 1940 and controlled by India’s Ministry of Defence, manufactures the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), including the Mk1, upgraded Mk1A and a planned Mk2 variant.
Operational concerns
Indian media outlets have flagged previous operational issues with the Tejas programme. Reports cited an oil-condensation problem on another Tejas aircraft and recalled earlier crashes, including a March 2024 Tejas accident near Jaisalmer and a July 2025 Jaguar trainer crash near Churu, which killed two pilots, Indian Express and Dawn reported.
Analysts and business outlets have also highlighted production challenges. Outlook Business noted supply-chain and engine shortfalls, while some online industry commentary — including posts on social media platforms such as Reddit — questioned timelines and long-term delivery risks.
Such online reactions were described as reflecting market sensitivity rather than confirmed technical findings.
Investigators will focus on three broad questions, aviation officials said: whether the pilot complied with the minimum display altitude and the approved routine; whether an unauthorised manoeuvre was attempted; and whether a technical failure — such as an engine stoppage or flight-control malfunction — made recovery impossible.
