ISLAMABAD: Fresh details from the ongoing inquiry into the crash of anIndian Air Force Tejas Mk-1 at Dubai Airshow have pointed to a fatalcombination of inadequate pilot training and failure to execute a high-risknegative-G push-over maneuver, defence sources familiar with thepreliminary court of inquiry report have confirmed.
The aircraft crashed on November 21 during a risky maneuver.
According to the initial findings accessed by Indian media outlets, thepilot flying initiated an unauthorised negative-G turn immediately at lowaltitude. The maneuver, intended to demonstrate rapid descent capability,resulted in the aircraft entering a near-vertical dive from which recoverywas impossible within the available height. The report reportedlycriticises the instructor pilot for attempting the risky manoeuvre withoutadequate recent practice and for poor crew resource management.
Defence analysts note that negative-G maneuvers, while part of advancedfighter training in several air forces, remain restricted or heavilysupervised in the IAF for the Tejas fleet owing to the aircraft’sfly-by-wire limitations and past incidents of disorientation duringsustained negative load factors. The inquiry has highlighted systemicshortcomings, including insufficient simulator hours for rare emergencyprofiles and relaxed oversight in operational conversion units.
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The crash marks the fifth loss of a Tejas aircraft since its induction in2016 and the first involving clear pilot error rather than technicalmalfunction. It comes at a sensitive time as India pushes for export ordersand larger domestic procurement of the indigenous fighter.
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