News Desk: An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday afternoon during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show, killing the pilot. The crash occurred around 2:10 pm local time, moments after the aircraft began a high-speed manoeuvre as part of its performance segment.
The IAF confirmed the pilot’s death and expressed deep grief over the loss. In an official statement, the force said: “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family. A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.”
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Eyewitnesses reported seeing a fireball and thick black smoke rising from the crash site near the airport runway, triggering panic among spectators, including families and children in attendance. Emergency services rushed to the site, and the air show proceedings were halted immediately.
The Tejas fighter jet, India’s indigenously developed light combat aircraft, has been participating in global aviation exhibitions to showcase the country’s defence capabilities. The inquiry will seek to determine whether technical malfunction, weather conditions, or other factors led to the tragic crash.
