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| Fighter Jet Crashes / Photo File (X@Sajwani) |
The final day of the Dubai Airshow turned tragic after an Indian-made HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed, killing the pilot and halting the event.
Thick plumes of smoke rose from a section of Al Maktoum International Airport moments after the aircraft went down. The crash occurred Friday afternoon while the airshow was underway. Early reports indicated that the pilot did not eject before impact.
The Indian Air Force confirmed both the crash and the pilot’s death in an official statement. “The Indian Air Force expresses deep sorrow over the loss of a precious life and stands with the bereaved family in this difficult hour,” the statement read. A Court of Inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the accident.
Eyewitnesses said rescue teams rushed to the crash site within minutes, while airport authorities cordoned off the area to secure the location and allow emergency operations to proceed.
According to a Turkish defence journal, the same aircraft experienced a fuel leak just one day earlier. It reported that maintenance teams had been alerted to the issue.
Following the crash, the Dubai Airshow was immediately suspended as safety protocols were activated. Indian media later reported that the aircraft had known technical issues and was flown despite the fault.
The Tejas fleet currently consists of 36 aircraft in service with the Indian Air Force. The jet has previously been involved in at least one accident linked to an engine failure.
Authorities in both the UAE and India are now collaborating to review technical data and pilot communication logs to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, or prior technical issues contributed to the disaster.
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