Pilot Dead As Fighter Jet Crashes During Demo Flight At Air Show

The pilot of an Indian fighter jet has died after crashing during a demonstration flight that took place at the Dubai Air Show Friday (November 21), the Indian Air Force announced in a post shared on its X account.

"An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. 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. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident," the military branch said.

The crash took place at 2:10 p.m. local time, at which point the pilot had already flown across the air show site several times. The plane appeared to suddenly lose control and dove directly toward the ground moments before crashing inside the airfield grounds.

Black smoke was seen over the Al Maktoum international Airport where the Dubai Air Show had taken place. Friday's show was scheduled to be the last of the weeklong event and attracted a large crowd.

"Firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site," the Dubai Media Office wrote on its X account.

The air show resumed about an hour and a half after the crash took place, despite emergency crews still working on the site.