An Indian fighter jet crashed during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, killing the pilot, according to a government statement.
The warplane performed a low roll before crashing in flames about a mile (1.6 kilometres) from the show site.
‘A Tejas fighter aircraft from India participating in today’s flying display at the Dubai Airshow has crashed, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot’, Dubai’s state-run media office posted on X.
Videos circulating on social media showed the aircraft descending at speed and exploding into a fireball on impact as onlookers watched in shock.
A plume of smoke rose from the crash site as emergency vehicles raced towards the area.
The incident occurred on the final day of the Middle East’s biggest airshow, which features a daily afternoon flying display.
Hundreds of people were watching from a grandstand, while the apron was packed with aircraft, helicopters, and other hardware on static display.
Thousands of attendees — including aviation industry leaders and senior military officials — have visited the show throughout the week.
The Indian Air Force said it had opened an inquiry into the crash.
‘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 in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident’, it said in a statement.
The crash is believed to be the first in the history of the airshow, which began in 1986.
