An Indian HAL Tejas jet crashed at Al Maktoum International Airport during the Dubai Airshow, killing the pilot and temporarily halting the aerial display.
An Indian HAL Tejas fighter jet tragically crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, November 21, killing the lone pilot. The accident occurred around 2.10pm local time at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Video footage showed black smoke rising over the airport, with the plane appearing to lose control and plummet directly towards the ground. Police, ambulances, and a helicopter rushed to the site, using firefighting foam to extinguish the blaze. The Indian Air Force confirmed the pilot’s death, stating, "IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief." A court of inquiry has been constituted to determine the cause of the crash.
The pilot had flown across the show several times. India’s Press Information Bureau earlier dismissed social media claims that a Tejas aircraft had leaked oil while on display, describing them as "false". Last year, another Tejas fighter crashed in Rajasthan, but the pilot ejected safely.
The airshow, one of the largest in the world, was temporarily halted while emergency operations were conducted. Visitors were directed back to the exhibition area during the pause. After nearly an hour, aerial displays resumed with teams including the Russian Knights and culminated with the UAE’s Al Fursan team, whose F-16s executed precision aerobatics with smoke trails in the colours of the UAE flag.
The original schedule had featured aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale, B-52 Stratofortress, F-16, Mirage 2000-9, Extra 330 aerobatic plane, Joby Aviation eVTOL, and Sukhoi Su-57. Most did not perform, likely due to safety protocols following the Tejas crash.
The Dubai Airshow ended at 5.30pm, its final day overshadowed by the tragic accident that sent shockwaves through the event and reminded all of the inherent risks in high-performance aviation.
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