DUBAI, Nov 21: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed at around 2:10pm local time during the Dubai Air Show on Thursday. Videos circulating online show the aircraft rapidly losing altitude before hitting the ground and exploding into flames as shocked spectators looked on. Thick smoke rose from the crash site as emergency teams rushed to the scene.
The crash occurred on the final day of the Middle East’s largest airshow, which features an afternoon flying display. Hundreds of people were watching from the grandstand, and the apron was crowded with aircraft, helicopters and other equipment on static display.
In a post on X, the Indian Air Force confirmed that the pilot had died in the accident. “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries,” the statement said. “IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted to determine the cause of the accident.”
Footage shows the fighter performing a low roll before crashing in flames about 1.6 kilometres from the show venue.
The Tejas, meaning “brilliance” in Hindi, is an indigenously developed fighter jet inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2016. The aircraft has faced several design and technical challenges over the years and was previously rejected by the Indian Navy for being too heavy.
