Dubai Air Show Horror: Indian Fighter Jet Crashes During Display, Killing Pilot

Dubai, UAE - Tragedy struck the Dubai Air Show on Friday afternoon when an Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flying display, resulting in the death of the pilot. The incident occurred at approximately 2:10 PM local time at the Al Maktoum International Airport, stunning spectators who had gathered to witness the aerial demonstrations.

The Tejas, a domestically designed and built light combat aircraft, was performing an aerobatic routine when it appeared to lose power mid-ascent. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft plunge sharply towards the ground before erupting in a ball of fire upon impact. Thick black smoke billowed from the crash site, causing panic among the crowd.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, and the air show was temporarily halted. Visitors were directed back to the exhibition area as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident and the pilot's death in a statement. "An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today," the statement read. "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". The name of the pilot has not been officially released.

The IAF has initiated a Court of Inquiry to determine the cause of the crash. The UAE Ministry of Defence has also confirmed the establishment of a court of inquiry to investigate the incident.

The Tejas, meaning "brilliance" in Hindi, was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2016. The single-engine, multirole combat aircraft is designed with an agile delta-wing. It was intended to replace the aging MiG-21/27 fleet and reduce India's dependence on foreign imports.

The Dubai Airshow is a biennial event that brings together over 1,500 exhibitors and showcases over 200 aircraft. The event, held from November 17-21, includes flying and static displays, conferences, and global visionaries.

The crash occurred after a display by the Surya Kiran aerobatic team celebrating India–UAE relations. The team performed a heart-shaped formation. Shortly after, the Tejas fighter jet appeared for its scheduled aerobatic routine. During a steep climb, the aircraft appeared to lose power mid-ascent and plunged sharply toward the open ground near spectators.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, and further details are awaited.