An IndianAir Force (IAF) pilot was confirmed dead on Friday after a Tejas fighter jet crashed and burst into flames during an aerial demonstration at the Dubai Air Show 2025.
The aircraft went down moments after take-off while performing a display manoeuvre at Al Maktoum International Airport, sending plumes of thick black smoke over the venue.
In a statement, the IAF said the pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. “IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” it said, adding that a court of inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause of the crash.
Eyewitnesses told local media that the jet appeared to nosedive shortly after take-off before exploding on impact.
Emergency teams, including firefighters and helicopters, responded within minutes, and the show was temporarily halted as rescue operations were carried out.
The Dubai Air Show, one of the world’s largest aviation exhibitions, began on November 17 and features over 1,500 exhibitors.
The fatal crash has cast a shadow over the final days of the event as officials work to assess safety protocols and investigate the tragedy.
