An Indian Air Force HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed during its aerial demonstration on the final day at the Dubai Air Show on Friday, killing the pilot and bringing the day’s flying program to a temporary halt as emergency crews rushed to the scene.
Crash During Scheduled Afternoon Display
According to the official Day 5 Flying Program, the Tejas was scheduled to perform an eight-minute solo display from 14:15 to 14:23. The aircraft went down just minutes into the routine, erupting into a fireball near the designated display area at Dubai World Central. Thick black smoke was visible across the venue as firefighters extinguished the blaze.
Today’s flying schedule included high-profile displays from the F-35, B-52, Rafale, Russian Knights, Sukhoi 57, and the UAE’s Fursan Al Emarat, with the Tejas’ slot positioned as the third act of the afternoon. The show resumed after a temporary halt.
Pilot Confirmed Dead
The Dubai Media Office confirmed the pilot’s death shortly after the accident. No injuries have been reported among spectators or personnel on the ground.
Indian Air Force Institutes Court of Inquiry
Indian Air Force has constituted a court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident. The Tejas program, central to India’s indigenous fighter capability, is a key symbol of India’s defense self-reliance efforts under the “Make in India” program.
Rumors Fact-Checked by Indian Ministry
Just a day before the crash, Indian government’s fact-check unit had counters rumors that alleged that the aircraft had suffered an oil leakage. The ministry explained that the videos showed routine, intentional draining of condensed water from the aircraft’s Environmental Control System (ECS) and On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS), a standard procedure for aircraft operating in humid conditions, like those in Dubai.
This is a developing story. More details will follow as official investigations progress.
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