An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, killing the pilot. The accident occurred around 2.15 pm local time at Al Maktoum International Airport, the venue of the event.
Visuals circulating on social media showed the light combat aircraft losing control just above the ground before hitting the surface and bursting into flames. The aircraft slid for a short distance before being completely engulfed.
In a statement, the IAF confirmed the pilot’s death and said a court of inquiry has been set up to determine the cause of the crash. Dubai’s media office said firefighting and emergency teams responded immediately and were managing the situation on-site.
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Friday marked the final day of the airshow, which began on November 17 and featured aerial and static displays of commercial aircraft, military jets, UAVs, drones and helicopters. The event draws aviation companies and defence delegations from across the world.
This is the second recorded crash involving the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. The first occurred on March 12, 2024, in Jaisalmer during a training sortie.
Tejas, an indigenous single-engine 4.5-generation multi-role fighter aircraft, made its maiden flight on January 4, 2001. The programme was conceptualised in 1984, and the aircraft was officially named ‘Tejas’ in 2003 by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
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