A crashed Tejas fighter jet manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) crashed at an air show in Dubai on Friday, killing the pilot who was flying the aircraft.
Today’s Tejas fighter jet crash happened during a demonstration at an event.
India’s HAL Tejas crashed on Friday around 14:10 local time during its flight demonstration in front of a crowd at the Dubai Air Show.
The IAF said in a statement that the pilot sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
HAL Tejas jet crash: Black smoke seen rising
Black smoke billowed over Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum International Airport as a crowd of onlookers watched an IAF Tejas jet crash.
After the crash of the Tejas jet, the authorities sounded the sirens.
A video of the fighter jet, which was used by the Indian Air Force, showed it falling rapidly before hitting the ground and exploding in flames. Clouds of smoke filled the air as onlookers rushed to assess the accident.
According to eyewitnesses cited by AFP, the Tejas warplane was making a low bank before it crashed in flames about a mile (1.6 kilometers) from the site of the Dubai air show.
The IAF issues a statement
The Indian Air Force issued a statement confirming the crash of the Tejas fighter jet and confirming the death of the pilot.
“Dear All, Tejas of IAF has crashed at Dubai Air Show-25. Further details are being ascertained at this time. We will provide further details in due course,” it said.
A court of inquiry has been set up to find out the cause of the accident, he said.
The Khaleej Times reported that the fighter jet crashed into the ground shortly after takeoff.
According to an eyewitness quoted by the newspaper: “As soon as the plane took off, it crashed. I’m not sure which plane it was.”
Firefighters rush to the scene, show stopped
Firefighters and helicopters rushed to the spot as soon as the accident was reported, Khaleej Times reported.
“Everything is clear now… Within about 45 minutes the whole incident was handled. We are not sure if the program will restart,” said an eyewitness.
According to another Gulf News report, the Dubai Air Show was temporarily halted after the crash of an IAF Tejas jet and visitors were directed back to the exhibition area.
Dubai’s second airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, hosted the Dubai Air Show every two years. The air show saw large aircraft orders from both long-haul carrier Emirates and its lower-cost sister airline FlyDubai.
Aircraft such as Lockheed Martin Corp.’s F-35 and aerobatic team from India participated in flight demonstrations.
