A devastating accident occurred at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, casting a shadow over the Middle East’s premier aviation event. An Indian Tejas jet crash stunned spectators as the aircraft plummeted into the ground and erupted into a massive fireball.
The fatal incident took place during a final-day aerial display. Sadly, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed that the pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, died in the disaster.
Eyewitnesses Recount the Indian Tejas Jet Crash
The scene unfolded in terrifying fashion for the thousands in attendance. The fighter jet had been performing complex maneuvers for approximately nine minutes. However, after completing several laps of the airfield, the aircraft suddenly entered a steep nose-dive.
Witnesses described a harrowing sequence of events:
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Rapid Descent: The jet appeared to flatten out momentarily before losing altitude rapidly.
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Impact: The aircraft struck the ground at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time.
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Explosion: One spectator reported seeing “three different fireballs” upon impact.
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Emergency response was swift. Rescue vehicles arrived at the crash site within 30 seconds as thick black smoke billowed from the airstrip. Firefighting teams worked frantically to extinguish the flames while the crowd watched in shock.
Investigation and Court of Inquiry
In the wake of the Indian Tejas jet crash, the Indian Air Force has ordered an immediate probe. A formal Court of Inquiry is being constituted to determine the precise cause of the malfunction.
“A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident,” the IAF stated.
While experts caution against speculation, General Electric (GE), the engine manufacturer, has pledged its support to the investigation. Despite the somber atmosphere, flight displays resumed later that afternoon.
Impact on Local Production
This tragedy marks the second recorded accident for the Tejas program. The first occurred during a training exercise in India in 2024.
The Tejas, meaning “Brilliance” in Sanskrit, is manufactured by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). It is a cornerstone of India’s defense modernization, designed to replace the aging Russian MiG-21 fleet.
Although the IAF plans to induct nearly 220 of these fighters over the next decade, the program has faced hurdles. Notably, supply chain bottlenecks have delayed the delivery of GE engines since the global pandemic.
A Rare Occurrence
Major accidents at international airshows have become increasingly rare due to strict modern safety protocols. Friday’s Indian Tejas jet crash is the first such incident on record for the Dubai Airshow.
While crashes were more frequent in decades past—such as the 1999 Sukhoi Su-30 accident in Paris—modern regulations have significantly reduced risks. Fortunately, in those earlier historic cases, crews were often able to eject safely.
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