An Indian Air Force pilot died on Friday after his combat aircraft crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show, according to the Indian Air Force.
The aircraft was the HAL Tejas, a fighter jet used by India. The crash happened at around 2:10 p.m. local time. The pilot had flown over the air show area several times before the aircraft suddenly lost control and went straight toward the ground. The crash happened inside the airfield.
The Indian Air Force confirmed the accident and said the pilot suffered fatal injuries. In a statement, the Air Force expressed deep regret over the loss and offered support to the pilot’s family. They also announced that an investigation team will look into what caused the crash.
After the crash, black smoke could be seen rising from Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. Sirens were heard as emergency response teams rushed to the site. The airport was hosting the Dubai Air Show, a major aviation event where airlines like Emirates and FlyDubai had recently placed large aircraft orders.