Pilot Dies as Indian HAL Tejas Fighter Jet Crashes at Dubai Air Show

An Indian-made HAL Tejas fighter jet went down in flames during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show on Friday, resulting in the death of the pilot. This marks the second known crash involving the aircraft.

The incident occurred just after 2 p.m. local time (10:00 GMT) at Dubai World Central, where the final day of the biennial aviation event was taking place in front of a crowd of spectators.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed the pilot sustained “fatal injuries” and said it is launching an inquiry to determine the cause of the crash. In a statement, the IAF expressed: “IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.”

Indian media outlets published photos showing the jet engulfed in flames, sending thick black smoke into the sky. A witness told Reuters that the aircraft was flying at a low altitude before it appeared to descend rapidly in a ball of fire.

The crash triggered sirens across Al Maktoum International Airport, which was expected to host around 150,000 visitors during the air show. It was not immediately clear if anyone else was injured.

The Dubai Media Office described the pilot’s death as “tragic” and shared images of emergency crews hosing down debris at the crash site. According to the office: “Firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site.”

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VIDEO | Dubai: A Tejas fighter jet taking part in the Dubai Air Show nosedived during an aerial display and crashed this afternoon. The HAL-manufactured aircraft went down around 02:10 pm local time while performing manoeuvres in front of a large audience. An official statement… pic.twitter.com/9MfLJgYeen

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 21, 2025

Air show demonstrations resumed less than two hours later after emergency teams had cleared the site.

The HAL Tejas, manufactured by India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, is a key part of India’s efforts to modernize its air force fleet. The crash comes at a sensitive time as India faces ongoing regional military tensions, with Pakistan receiving significant Chinese arms support.

In March 2025, another Tejas jet had crashed in Rajasthan, marking the first recorded incident since the aircraft’s test flight in 2001. The pilot survived that earlier crash.

The latest tragedy in Dubai is a serious setback for India’s air force and underscores the challenges in operating advanced combat aircraft in both demonstration and combat scenarios.