DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — An Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flying demonstration at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, killing the pilot and prompting an immediate suspension of aerial displays, officials said.
The single-engine light combat aircraft went down around 2:10 p.m. near the runway at Al Maktoum International Airport, sending a plume of black smoke into the air as emergency teams rushed to the site, according to the UAE Ministry of Defence and witnesses at the scene. The ministry confirmed that firefighting and rescue crews “responded immediately and are managing the situation on-site.”
The Indian Air Force said the pilot sustained “fatal injuries” and announced that a court of inquiry would investigate the cause of the crash. The Tejas, part of India’s push for an indigenous combat aircraft under the country’s “Make in India” initiative, was participating in an aerobatic display on the final afternoon of the airshow.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing an explosion before seeing the jet plummet. “We were watching the display when suddenly we saw smoke and a blast,” said Shahad Alnaqbi, a visitor at the airshow. “People started running and screaming, and the ambulance arrived quickly.”
The crash caused a brief halt to the airshow’s program as visitors were instructed to return to exhibition halls. By mid-afternoon, large crowds were seen exiting the venue. A rescue helicopter departed the crash site roughly 25 minutes after the incident, and subsequent aerial displays were suspended.
Videos circulating on social media showed the Tejas performing its routine before abruptly losing altitude and descending rapidly. The cause of the crash remains unclear.
The Dubai Airshow, one of the world’s largest aviation events, opened on Nov. 17 and will run until Nov. 24, featuring more than 1,500 exhibitors. The Tejas jet involved in the crash is built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in collaboration with India’s Aeronautical Development Agency. The aircraft is known for its delta-wing design, agility and multirole capability, and is intended to replace India’s aging MiG-21 and MiG-27 fleets.
Indian officials said further details on the crash will be released following the investigation.
