This morning, tragedy struck at the Dubai Air Show when a combat aircraft erupted into a fiery explosion, claiming the life of its pilot as shocked spectators looked on.

The aircraft involved was the Indian HAL Tejas, a model actively used by the Indian Air Force. The crash occurred at approximately 2:10 PM local time on Friday during an attempted vertical loop maneuver.

Captivating footage captured the moment the warplane plummeted towards the ground at Al Maktoum International Airport, ultimately crashing in a colossal fireball after failing to ascend in time.

Witness Shahad Alnaqbi shared her experience with local media, recounting, “We were enjoying the display when smoke and an explosion suddenly filled the air. People began to run and scream, and emergency services arrived on the scene swiftly.”

Amidst the chaos, attendees hurriedly evacuated as emergency responders and firefighters rushed to control the catastrophic situation.

Clips shared on social media show dozens of people, including children, dashing from the area as a column of smoke rose, drawing gasps from the crowds.

‘It was a wonderful show until this tragic accident occurred, shocking all of us watching the airshow. From the way the flight turned before it went down, I strongly feel the pilot tried to save the spectators,’ Shajudheen Jabbar, who witnessed the accident along with his wife Shiny and daughter Ashley, told Gulf News.

‘It’s so unfortunate that he couldn’t escape. We are deeply saddened that someone died before our eyes, and the pain is even greater knowing it was an Indian fighter jet pilot’. 

The Indian HAL Tejas, a combat aircraft used in the Indian Air Force, crashed around 2.10pm local time on Friday

It wasn’t immediately clear if the pilot ejected, or if anyone was injured in the incident

Black smoke rose over the Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central as a crowd of spectators watched, and sirens sounded after the crash

The Indian Air Force has taken to X, stating: ‘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 constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident’. 

The UAE Ministry of Defence also took to X to confirm the tragic death of the pilot, writing: ‘In a tragic accident that occurred just moments ago, a pilot from the Indian Air Force lost his life today when his multi-role Tejas fighter aircraft crashed during its participation in the flying display accompanying the Dubai Airshow. 

‘The relevant teams responded immediately to the incident’. 

India’s Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anial Chauhan said in a statement that all ranks of the Indian Army ‘deeply regret the incident’ and ‘stand firmly’ with the pilot’s bereaved family. 

The city-state’s second airport was hosting the biennial Dubai Air Show, which has seen major aircraft orders by both the long-haul carrier Emirates and its lower-cost sister airline FlyDubai.

The Dubai Airshow 2025 website says the event has attracted more than 148,000 attendees and exhibitors from 1,500 companies. 

The HAL Tejas MK 1 in the air just before it crashed during a flight demonstration at the Dubai Airshow 2025

Visitors quickly began fleeing the scene as emergency and firefighting teams scrambled to manage the devastating incident

This is the second known crash of the fighter jet, which is powered by General Electric engines and is crucial for India’s efforts to modernise its air force fleet of mainly Russian and ex-Soviet fighters. 

The first crash was during an exercise in India in 2024.

Tejas is India’s indigenous fighter aircraft, built by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. 

The lightweight, single-engine jet is expected to bolster India’s depleted fighter fleet as China expands its military presence in South Asia, including by strengthening defense ties with India’s rival Pakistan.

In September, India’s Defense Ministry signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, or HAL, to procure 97 Tejas jets for the air force. 

Deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.

The Indian government also signed a deal with HAL in 2021 for 83 Tejas aircraft. 

Deliveries, expected last year, have been delayed largely because of shortages of engines that must be imported from the United States.