Tejas jet crashes at Dubai Airshow a day after Govt's Fact Check unit shot down oil-leak propaganda :::: There is no confirmation yet if the jet that crashed and the one that became the target of Pakistani propaganda, were the same.

Tejas jet crashes at Dubai Airshow a day after PIB shot down oil-leak propaganda

The Tejas, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is a 4.5-generation multi-role fighter designed to replace ageing MiG-21s. It has been in IAF service since 2016, with recent orders for upgraded Mk1A variants.

The PIB had on Nov 20, 2025 described a propaganda as "deliberately pushed" to undermine the jet's reliability and urged verification before sharing information.

An Indian Air Force Tejas aircraft crashed during the Dubai Airshow while performing a manoeuvre. The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry into the incident. The crash came a day after the government's fact-check unit busted an oil-leak propaganda.  

Many theories circulate ...   

Retired naval officer and geopolitical commentator Cdr Sandeep Dhawan praised the government's response to the earlier misinformation.

However, the coincidence of the crash following the fact-check has been noted as unusual by many. 

One post read: "Can't ignore the sabotage angle at this stage". Another person on X asked, "If not pilot error, what went wrong... mechanical failure? Sabotage?"

However, aviation experts and officials have emphasised awaiting the court of inquiry's findings, with some urging restraint on unverified theories.

An Indian Air Force LCA Tejas Mk1 crashed during an aerial manoeuvre at the Dubai Airshow on Friday. 

The incident occurred on the final day of the biennial event at Al Maktoum International Airport. The crash came a day after the Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact-check unit debunked social media claims of an "oil leakage" from a Tejas aircraft at the airshow.  

On November 20, the PIB addressed circulating videos alleging technical issues with the LCA Tejas Mk1, stating, "Several propaganda accounts are circulating videos claiming that at the Dubai Airshow 2025, the Indian LCA Tejas Mk1 suffered oil leakage. These claims are fake".

The "propaganda videos" claimed that "oil was leaking" from one of the fighter jets.  

The government's fact-check unit clarified that the footage showed "routine, intentional draining of condensed water from the aircraft's Environmental Control System (ECS) and On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS)", a standard procedure in humid conditions like Dubai's.

This is the second Tejas crash in 24 years. The first Tejas crash occurred in March 2024 during a training sortie in Rajasthan, where the pilots ejected safely.

Investigative journalist and aviation expert Anantha Krishnan M, posting from his verified X account, described it as the "first crash in 23 years for Tejas since its maiden flight".

Krishnan expressed sadness over the crash, saying, "Will be on high alert to shoot down & take on any anti-LCA campaign (if it comes up)... Let's wait for the Court of Inquiry before jumping into any conclusions. I hope the truth will come up as soon as possible."  

Just a day later, an LCA Tejas rapidly lost altitude while performing manoeuvres at the Dubai Airshow and crashed on the ground. The IAF confirmed in a statement that the pilot was killed.

"An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident," the statement read.

However, there is no confirmation if the jet that crashed and the one that became the target of Pakistani propaganda, were the same. 

The Tejas had been a highlight of India's participation at the airshow, performing high-manoeuvre displays to showcase indigenous defence capabilities.