Understanding the Negative G Manoeuvre That Led to the LCA Tejas Crash at Dubai Air Show

The IAF has initiated a court of inquiry following the incident.

New Delhi:

Aviation experts who reviewed footage of the accident have indicated that the LCA Tejas fighter jet that crashed during the Dubai air show was performing a negative G manoeuvre before impact with the ground.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed in a statement on X that the pilot lost their life in the crash.

While a comprehensive investigation will be necessary to determine the exact cause, video evidence from the airshow suggests the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas experienced a sudden loss of altitude as it attempted to return to level flight after completing a loop manoeuvre.

In aviation terminology, negative G refers to forces that act upon an aircraft and its occupants in the direction opposite to normal gravity. These forces typically occur during aerobatic manoeuvres, rapid descents, or when encountering severe turbulence.

Without proper management, negative G forces can cause disorientation or consciousness loss as blood rushes toward the head. Pilots receive specialized training to handle and reduce the effects of negative G forces during flight operations.

The crashed LCA Tejas belonged to a squadron based in Sulur, Tamil Nadu, and had been operational since 2016.

Following the recent decommissioning of the vintage Russian-designed MiG-21, the LCA Tejas was positioned to become the IAF's primary workhorse. This compact fighter aircraft has maintained an exceptional safety record within the IAF - the Dubai airshow incident represents only the second crash in 24 years.

The first accident occurred in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, in March 2024 - which was 23 years after the aircraft's initial test flight in 2001.

The LCA Tejas features an inherently unstable design to enhance its agility. However, this characteristic necessitates a highly sophisticated fly-by-wire system (flight computer) to maintain aircraft stability.

Similarly, the American F-16 employs intentional instability in its design to achieve greater manoeuvrability.