An LCA Tejas fighter jet tragically crashed during an air show in Dubai, leading to the death of the pilot. According to initial evaluations by aviation experts who reviewed footage of the incident, the aircraft was executing a negative G turn when it lost altitude and struck the ground. The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed the pilot’s death in a statement on X.
While a comprehensive investigation is necessary to determine the precise cause of the crash, the videos indicated that the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas experienced difficulties while attempting to regain level flight after completing a looping maneuver. Negative G forces in aviation refer to the forces acting in the opposite direction of gravity, experienced during aerobatic actions, sudden descents, or turbulence. If not managed correctly, these forces can lead to disorientation or a loss of consciousness for pilots due to blood pooling in their heads. To mitigate such effects, pilots receive specialized training focused on managing negative G forces.
The crashed LCA Tejas was part of a squadron based in Sulur, Tamil Nadu, and had been in service since 2016. Following the decommissioning of the vintage Russian MiG-21, the LCA Tejas was positioned as the next mainstay for the IAF. Notably, the Tejas has recorded the best safety record among IAF aircraft; the Dubai crash marks only the second incident in 24 years. The first occurred in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, in March 2024, which was notable as it followed 23 years after the aircraft’s inaugural test flight in 2001.
The design of the LCA Tejas inherently allows for instability, enhancing its agility but necessitating a sophisticated fly-by-wire system to maintain stability during flight. This characteristic is shared with the American F-16, which is also designed to be intentionally unstable for improved maneuverability.
As investigations unfold, there is hope that the lessons learned from this incident will further enhance the safety and reliability of the LCA Tejas and similar fighter aircraft in the future.