An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flying display at the Dubai Air Show on Friday, killing the pilot and halting aerial demonstrations for the afternoon. The accident occurred around 2:10 pm local time as the aircraft was performing a manoeuvre at Al Maktoum International Airport.
Footage from the venue showed the light combat aircraft losing altitude sharply before striking the ground and bursting into flames near the runway. Thick smoke was visible across the air show grounds as emergency crews rushed to the site.
The IAF confirmed the pilot’s death in a statement posted on X, saying the service “deeply regrets the loss of life” and has ordered a court of inquiry to determine what went wrong. Authorities said there were no injuries on the ground.
An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at 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…
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 21, 2025
The aircraft was taking part in a scheduled demonstration when it appeared to lose control mid-sequence. Security personnel immediately cleared spectators from the viewing areas as first responders extinguished the fire and secured the crash zone. Flying operations were paused briefly while ground exhibits continued as planned.
IAF personnel, along with engineers from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), helped local authorities secure debris and begin technical assessments. The Indian contingent had been showcasing the Tejas throughout the week, with the aircraft completing multiple displays before Friday’s fatal crash.
Officials from the UAE and India initiated coordinated procedures after the accident, including recovery of flight-recording equipment and documentation needed for the investigation. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi was kept informed as the site was cordoned off for further examination.
The inquiry will review the aircraft’s performance during the final manoeuvre, communication logs, and recent maintenance checks. Neither the IAF nor HAL has given any indication of a likely cause, stressing that conclusions will come only after data from the flight and wreckage are analysed.
Friday’s show was the last display slot scheduled for the Tejas at this year’s event. The air show resumed limited activity later in the evening, though the Tejas exhibit remained closed.
Further official updates will be released once investigators complete initial assessments, the IAF said.
In a career spanning three decades and counting, Ramananda (Ram to his friends) has been the foreign editor of The Telegraph, Outlook Magazine and the New Indian Express. He helped set up rediff.com’s editorial operations in San Jose and New York, helmed sify.com, and was the founder editor of India.com.
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