The pilot of an Indian fight aircraft died after the plane crashed throughout an illustration flight for spectators on the Dubai Air Present, the Indian Air Pressure mentioned Friday.
The Indian HAL Tejas, a fight plane used within the Indian Air Pressure, crashed round 2:10 p.m. native time after the pilot had flown throughout the location of the biennial air present in Dubai a number of instances.
An eyewitness video confirmed the second that Indian fighter jet Tejas crashed and burst into flames on Friday (November 21) throughout an aerial show at Dubai Air Present.
Jignesh Variya obtained by way of Reuters
Eyewitness social media footage captured the aircraft showing to lose management because it dived immediately towards the bottom simply earlier than crashing contained in the airfield.
The Indian Air Pressure confirmed the crash and mentioned “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,” it mentioned in an announcement. It mentioned, “A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident.”
The chief of India’s opposition celebration, Rahul Gandhi, additionally expressed his condolences in a social media put up on Friday.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of our brave IAF pilot in the Tejas crash at the Dubai Air Show. My heartfelt condolences to his family. The nation stands with them, honouring his courage and service,” Gandhi mentioned on X.
Black smoke rose over the Al Maktoum Worldwide Airport at Dubai World Central as a crowd of spectators watched, and sirens sounded after the crash.
The town-state’s second airport was internet hosting the biennial Dubai Air Present, which has seen main plane orders by each the long-haul provider Emirates and its lower-cost sister airline FlyDubai.
View of the nationwide colours of the United Arab Emirates within the sky as a part of the Fursan Al Emarat group’s air present on the Dubai Air Present.
Katharina Kausche/image alliance by way of Getty Photos
Friday marked the final day of the week-long air present, and lots of households gathered within the grandstand space of the airport to observe the show.
“Firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site,” the Dubai Media Workplace, which responds to crises within the emirate, mentioned in a put up on X.
Police and emergency personnel might be seen on the crash web site afterward, with firefighting foam sprayed throughout the street. An SUV bearing diplomatic plates flying the Indian flag additionally might be seen.
The air present resumed flight demonstrations about an hour and a half afterward, with the Russian Knights flying overhead as emergency crews nonetheless labored the crash web site.
Emergency companies attend the scene after an Indian HAL Tejas crashed throughout an illustration on the Dubai Air Present, at Al Maktoum Worldwide Airport on Nov. 21, 2025.
Dubai Media Workplace by way of AP
Tejas is India’s indigenous fighter plane, constructed by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Restricted. The light-weight, single-engine jet is anticipated to bolster India’s depleted fighter fleet as China expands its navy presence in South Asia, together with by strengthening protection ties with India’s rival Pakistan.
In September, India’s Protection Ministry signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Restricted, or HAL, to obtain 97 Tejas jets for the air drive. Deliveries are anticipated to start in 2027.
The Indian authorities additionally signed a take care of HAL in 2021 for 83 Tejas plane. Deliveries, anticipated final yr, have been delayed largely due to shortages of engines that should be imported from the US.
On Thursday, India’s Press Info Bureau rejected some social media claims alleging {that a} Tejas plane had skilled an oil leak whereas on show on the air present. In an announcement on X, it referred to as the posts “false” and mentioned they had been makes an attempt to undermine the “fighter’s proven technical reliability with baseless propaganda.”
It was unclear whether or not the plane in query was the one which crashed on Friday.
A Tejas fighter jet crashed within the western Indian state of Rajasthan final yr, however the pilot ejected safely in that incident.
Extra from CBS Information
