An Indian-made Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show on Friday, according to news agency reports.
Authorities in Dubai said emergency crews responded immediately to the scene, where firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.
The crash occurred at approximately 2:10 p.m. (1010 GMT) after the aircraft performed a low roll and went down in flames about one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the air show site.
Spectators had gathered at Al Maktoum International Airport, located at Dubai World Central in the United Arab Emirates, to watch the event.
The Associated Press reported that the jet had made several passes across the display area before appearing to lose control and plunge directly into the ground. The pilot was killed on impact.
Dubai’s state-run media office announced on X that “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.” The Indian Air Force also confirmed the loss of the pilot.The Tejas is a single-engine, lightweight fighter jet produced by India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
India’s Defense Ministry has ordered 97 of the aircraft to strengthen its air force, which largely consists of Russian and Soviet-era planes, amid growing Chinese military activity in South Asia and closer ties between China and Pakistan.
Friday’s incident marks the second reported Tejas crash. Another occurred during an exercise in Rajasthan, India, in 2024, though the pilot in that case safely ejected.