Pilot killed after Indian fighter jet crashes at Dubai air show

An Indian jet fighter crashed during a demonstration flight in front of a crowd of spectators at the Dubai Air Show.

The Indian HAL Tejas, a combat plane used by the Indian Air Force, crashed at around 2.10pm local time (10.10am UK time), at Al Maktoum International Airport.

The lone pilot was killed.

Video footage of the aftermath of the crash showed black smoke rising over the airport, which was hosting a biennial air show.

The plane appeared to lose control and plummeted directly towards the ground just before crashing.

Police vehicles, ambulances and a helicopter rushed to the site of the crash, spraying firefighting foam to extinguish the blaze. The Indian Air Force later confirmed the pilot died in the crash.

"IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief," it added.

"A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident."

The pilot had flown across the site of the air show several times.

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On Thursday, India's Press Information Bureau dismissed social media claims that a Tejas aircraft had leaked oil while on display at the air show.

In a statement on X, the bureau described the posts as "false".

It was unclear whether the aircraft referenced was the same one that crashed on Friday.

Last year, a Tejas fighter jet crashed in India's northwestern state of Rajasthan, but the pilot ejected safely.

(c) Sky News 2025: Pilot killed after Indian fighter jet crashes at Dubai air show