A tragic incident occurred at an airshow in Dubai as a pilot lost their life when a fighter jet crashed and caught fire during a demonstration. The aircraft involved was an Indian Tejas, a single-seat Light Combat Aircraft, which went down around 2.10 pm local time, leading to black smoke rising over Al Maktoum International Airport. Immediate rescue efforts were initiated, causing a temporary halt in the airshow with visitors redirected to the exhibition area.

The Indian Air Force has confirmed the pilot’s death and launched an inquiry into the crash. Addressing social media claims of an oil leak in another Tejas aircraft, the Press Information Bureau of India labeled them as false attempts to discredit the fighter’s reliability.

Footage circulating on social media showing liquid dripping from an aircraft was clarified by the military as routine water drainage in humid conditions. The crash site was swiftly attended by firefighters, where the Indian Air Force expressed deep regret over the pilot’s demise.

Eyewitnesses described the harrowing scene of the crash, with one individual recounting the smoke and explosion that led to panic among spectators. The Ministry of Defence in the United Arab Emirates issued a statement acknowledging the crash and the tragic loss of the pilot’s life.

Notably, this is the second crash involving a Tejas aircraft in less than two years, with the previous incident in Rajasthan in 2024 resulting in the pilot’s safe ejection. The Tejas, known for its agility and versatility in combat roles, is one of the lightest and smallest fighters in its class.

The Dubai Airshow, a prominent global aviation event, was hosting the demonstration when the crash occurred, prompting the cancellation of events and evacuation of attendees. The incident underscores the risks associated with aerial displays, with ongoing investigations to determine the cause of the crash.