Dubai Air Show Tragedy: LCA Tejas Crash Linked to Risky Negative-G Turn, Say Experts
A tragic moment unfolded at the Dubai Air Show when an Indian Air Force (IAF) LCA Tejas fighter jet crashed during a high-intensity aerobatic display. Aviation experts who reviewed initial visuals say the aircraft was performing a negative-G turn, a manoeuvre that demands razor-sharp control, just moments before it hit the ground.
The IAF confirmed that the pilot lost his life in the accident, sending shockwaves across India’s aviation and defence community.
If not managed precisely, negative-G can cause pilot disorientation or even loss of consciousness, as blood rushes toward the head. Fighter pilots undergo extensive training to counter these extreme conditions.
Remarkably, the aircraft has had only two crashes in 24 years, this one in Dubai, and the first in March 2024 at Jaisalmer, more than two decades after its maiden flight in 2001. This record made Tejas one of the safest fighter jets in the IAF inventory.
The design approach mirrors global fighters like the American F-16, which also uses controlled instability to boost performance.
As investigations continue, the aviation fraternity mourns the loss of a skilled pilot and reflects on the razor-thin margins of high-speed aerobatic flying.
The IAF confirmed that the pilot lost his life in the accident, sending shockwaves across India’s aviation and defence community.
What Went Wrong? Early Clues From the Video
While the exact cause will only be known after a detailed probe, early assessments suggest the Tejas suddenly lost altitude while trying to regain level flight after completing a loop. The abrupt drop appears consistent with the effects of negative-G forces.Understanding Negative-G
In aviation, negative-G refers to forces that push the aircraft and everything inside it opposite to normal gravity. These forces often occur during aerobatics or sudden descents.If not managed precisely, negative-G can cause pilot disorientation or even loss of consciousness, as blood rushes toward the head. Fighter pilots undergo extensive training to counter these extreme conditions.
A Jet With an Outstanding Safety Record
The crashed Tejas belonged to a squadron based in Sulur, Tamil Nadu, and had been in service since 2016. With the retirement of the MiG-21 fleet, Tejas was widely seen as the IAF’s next frontline workhorse.Remarkably, the aircraft has had only two crashes in 24 years, this one in Dubai, and the first in March 2024 at Jaisalmer, more than two decades after its maiden flight in 2001. This record made Tejas one of the safest fighter jets in the IAF inventory.
Tejas: Agility by Design
The LCA Tejas is designed to be intentionally unstable, a feature that dramatically enhances manoeuvrability during combat or aerobatics. But this also means the jet relies heavily on a highly advanced fly-by-wire flight control system to maintain stability.The design approach mirrors global fighters like the American F-16, which also uses controlled instability to boost performance.
As investigations continue, the aviation fraternity mourns the loss of a skilled pilot and reflects on the razor-thin margins of high-speed aerobatic flying.
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