Tejas crash at Dubai air show: What IAF said on fighter jet crash and pilot

In a brief statement, the IAF said the pilot sustained fatal injuries after the fighter met with an accident mid-display. A court of inquiry has also been ordered to determine the cause of the crash.

Thick black smoke was seen rising from the crash site near the airport, prompting panic among onlookers (Screengrab)

An Indian Air Force Tejas aircraft crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show on Monday, killing the pilot.

In a brief statement, the IAF said the pilot sustained fatal injuries after the fighter met with an accident mid-display. The force said it “deeply regrets the loss of life” and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.

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

A court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the crash.

VIDEO: Camera captures fatal moment it erupted into fireball

The aircraft went down around 2:10 pm local time at Al Maktoum International Airport. Video footage showed the jet plunging rapidly before erupting into a fireball, with no sign of the pilot ejecting prior to impact

A Tejas plane taking part in a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show crashed on Friday afternoon (November 21). The HAL made plane went down around pm local time while performing an aerial display before a large crowd.

Thick black smoke was seen rising from the crash site near… pic.twitter.com/0VosEYIGQt

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) November 21, 2025

What is Tejas?

The HAL Tejas is a single-engine, 4.5-generation multirole fighter featuring a compact delta-wing design. Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), it entered IAF service after its 2001 maiden flight, with the first operational squadron becoming active in 2016.

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