A series of fatal accidents over the years has underscored the dangers faced by Indian military aircrew, most recently the death of an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot when a Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flying demonstration at the Dubai Air Show on November 11, 2025. The aircraft went down during a manoeuvre at Al Maktoum International Airport, sending thick black smoke across the venue.

The Dubai crash has renewed scrutiny of earlier incidents involving aerobatic teams and training missions. These past accidents reveal a pattern of high-risk operations that continue to challenge both pilots and safety investigators.

In February 2019, two Surya Kiran Hawk jets collided during a rehearsal for Aero India in Bengaluru. Two pilots ejected and survived, but Wing Commander Sahil Gandhi wa

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