Indian Air Force Pilot Killed after Tejas Fighter Crashes at Dubai Airshow

An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was killed on Friday when a Tejas LCA Mk-1 fighter jet crashed during a display at the Dubai Airshow, the IAF confirmed.

“An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries… A court of inquiry is being constituted,” the IAF said. Dubai’s media office also confirmed the crash, saying emergency teams and firefighters responded at the site.

Visuals on social media showed the aircraft hitting the ground and erupting into a fireball. The crash occurred around 2.10 p.m. local time (1010 GMT) after the jet performed a low roll and went down about 1.6 kilometers from the show area at Al Maktoum International Airport. The aircraft had flown across the display site multiple times before it appeared to lose control and dive toward the ground, according to reports shared by news agencies.

Authorities reported thick smoke rising from the crash site as emergency crews attempted to contain the blaze. The pilot died on impact.

This is the second recorded crash involving a Tejas. On March 12, 2024, a single-engine Tejas crashed near Jaisalmer after participating in the Bharat Shakti tri-services exercise; the pilot ejected safely.

Both aircraft involved in the two crashes were Mk-1 variants inducted under initial and final operational clearance configurations.

The incident comes as the IAF moves toward inducting the Mk-1A variant. In September, India signed a $7 billion contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 97 Mk-1A jets, with delivery planned over six years from 2027–28. This follows an earlier 2021 order for 83 jets, whose deliveries have been delayed due to U.S. engine supply issues from General Electric. The first engine was delivered in March, and officials expect production to stabilize this fiscal year. The combined orders will increase India’s Tejas fleet to 220 aircraft.

The crash occurred on the final day of the biennial Dubai Airshow.