Indian-made Fighter Jet Crashes During Airshow, Pilot Killed

An Indian-made fighter jet crashed during a flight demonstration at the Dubai Airshow on the 21st, with the pilot unable to escape and dying at the scene. This crash is the first accident since the Dubai Airshow began in 1986.

According to AFP, during the final day's aerobatic performance at the Dubai Airshow, the Indian-made 'Tejas' fighter jet dived to the ground during its display, exploding and catching fire upon impact. The pilot was unable to escape in time, and the packed audience in the stands witnessed the whole scene.

The jet crashed about 1.6 kilometers from the airshow venue, an area filled at the time with planes, helicopters, and other static display equipment.

The Dubai Government Media Office later confirmed the "unfortunate death of the pilot," and the Indian Air Force announced it would launch an investigation.

An Iraqi eyewitness interviewed by AFP said, "At the time, the pilot was flying at low altitude, performing high-risk maneuvers." He said the pilot appeared to attempt to avert the accident by pulling up, but it was too late.

The Tejas fighter jet was designed and manufactured by India, and officially entered service with the Indian Air Force in 2016. This is the second crash involving a single-seat Tejas fighter in less than two years; the previous non-fatal training accident occurred in Rajasthan, India last March.