At the start of a flight demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, an Indian fighter jet burst into flames and crashed just after lifting off, killing the single pilot on board. The incident occurred at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport, one of the world’s largest air‑show venues.
The HAL Tejas, India’s own lightweight, single‑engine fighter, skidded onto the tarmac and ignited a bright fireball that sent thick black smoke into the sky. Police vehicles, ambulances and a helicopter rushed to the scene and sprayed foam to extinguish the blaze.
Crowd reactions were stunned. Spectators, many families who had gathered to watch the final event of the two‑day show, gasped as the jet plunged toward the ground.
India’s air‑force command confirmed the crash and said the pilot sustained fatal injuries. The Indian Air Force (IAF) released a statement expressing deep regret for the loss and announced that a court of inquiry would investigate the cause. Emirati investigators will also examine the crash.
The Dubai Media Office reported that fire‑fighting teams were already working a half‑hour after the incident, and flight demonstrations resumed with the Russian Knights flying overhead.
The Tejas aircraft is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and is meant to strengthen India’s fighter fleet amid rising regional tensions. India recently signed contracts to acquire 97 new Tejas jets, with deliveries expected to start in 2027; earlier shipments stalled due to engine shortages from the United States.
Rumors on social media claimed an oil leak caused the crash. The Indian Press Information Bureau denied those posts, calling them false and aimed at undermining the jet’s proven reliability. Military officials said the video of liquid dripping from the aircraft showed routine condensation draining—a normal procedure for humid climates like Dubai’s.
Last year, a Tejas crashed in Rajasthan, but its pilot ejected safely. The Dubai incident marks a tragic setback for India’s indigenous aircraft program.
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