A tragedy struck the Dubai Airshow on Friday. An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed into the ground. It erupted into a ball of fire in front of stunned spectators.
The accident happened during an aerial display. It was the final day of the Middle East’s largest aviation event. The Indian Air Force confirmed that the sole pilot on board was killed.
Witnesses Describe “Three Fireballs”
The scene was terrifying for those watching. The fighter jet had been performing for about nine minutes. It completed several laps of the airfield before it suddenly nose-dived.
Onlookers said the aircraft seemed to flatten out for a moment. However, it continued to lose altitude rapidly. It struck the ground at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time.
One spectator saw “three different fireballs” upon impact. The crowd stood in shock. Emergency vehicles rushed to the crash site within 30 seconds.
Video footage showed thick black smoke rising from the airstrip. Firefighting teams worked frantically to put out the fire.
Investigation Launched
The Indian Air Force has announced an immediate investigation. They have formed a Court of Inquiry to determine the cause of the disaster.
“A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the IAF stated.
Experts say it is too early to guess the cause. However, General Electric (GE), the engine manufacturer, is ready to assist with the probe. Despite the tragedy, flight displays resumed later on Friday afternoon.
A Blow to Local Production
This is the second known crash of the Tejas jet. The first crash occurred during a training exercise in India in 2024.
The state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) builds the Tejas. Its name means “Brilliance” in Sanskrit. The jet is vital to India’s defense plans. It is designed to replace the aging fleet of Russian MiG-21s.
The IAF plans to operate nearly 220 Tejas fighters over the next decade. However, the program has faced delays. Supply chain issues have affected the delivery of GE engines since the global pandemic.
A Rare Accident
Accidents at top international airshows are rare today. Safety protocols are much stricter than in the past.
Friday’s crash is the first on record for the Dubai Airshow. This event is the world’s third-largest aerospace show.
Crashes were more common in the 1970s. However, modern rules have reduced the risks. For example, a Sukhoi Su-30 crashed at the Paris Airshow in 1999. A MiG-29 also crashed there a decade earlier. Fortunately, the crews in those earlier incidents ejected safely.
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