Indian fighter plane crashes at Dubai Airshow, pilot dies

The events occurred on Friday, on the last day of the largest air show in the Middle East, which offers an air show every afternoon.

The images are impressive. An Indian fighter jet crashed on Friday (November 21) during an aerial demonstration at the Dubai Airshow in the United Arab Emirates, killing its pilot, a government statement announced. “A Tejas fighter jet from India participating in today’s aerial display at the Dubai Airshow crashed, leading to the tragic death of the pilot”wrote the official Dubai press office on the social network X.

The Indian Air Force has launched an investigation to determine the causes of the accident. She “deeply regrets the loss of a life and stands with the bereaved family”she wrote in a press release. The plane rolled at low altitude before crashing in flames about 1.6 kilometers from the show site, a witness described.

Videos posted on social media show the plane falling at high speed and turning into a ball of fire upon impact, before the eyes of stunned spectators. Thick smoke filled the accident site and emergency vehicles rushed to respond.

The events occurred on the last day of the largest air show in the Middle East, which offers an air show every afternoon. This would be the first crash to have occurred at this show, established in 1986. Thousands of people attended the event this week, including leaders of the aeronautical industry and military officials.