UAE – An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday during Dubai air show, plunging to the ground and killing the pilot.
Reports indicate that the crash occurred at around 2.10 pm local time (1210GMT) before thick smoke engulfed the site.
The Indian Armed Forces (IAF) confirmed the incident, saying they were still gathering information.
“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,” said the IAF in a statement.
“Deeply” regretting the loss of life, it said the IAF “stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief.”
The IAF will “ascertain the cause of the accident,” the statement added.
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.
Earlier, videos on social media showed the single-seater jet crashing down at the Dubai Airshow, billowing out huge smoke.
VIDEO | Dubai: A Tejas fighter jet taking part in the Dubai Air Show nosedived during an aerial display and crashed this afternoon. The HAL-manufactured aircraft went down around 02:10 pm local time while performing manoeuvres in front of a large audience. An official statement… pic.twitter.com/9MfLJgYeen
The Tejas aircraft is developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and the incident at Dubai Airshow marks the second crash involving a Tejas aircraft in less than two years.
Last year in March, a Tejas fighter crashed in India’s western state of Rajasthan – the first such accident in the aircraft’s 23-year history since its maiden test flight in 2001, while the pilot had ejected safely.
Help The State Signal reach more people by sharing.
