NEW DELHI: An Indian Air Force Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show on Friday afternoon, sending thick black smoke rising from the crash site and shocking spectators. The HAL-manufactured fighter jet went down at approximately 2:10pm local time while performing aerial manoeuvres, according to officials.Multiple eyewitness videos showed the aircraft appearing to lose balance before nosediving and crashing at a distance from the spectator area. Emergency response teams immediately moved in as smoke billowed across the airfield.Spectators watched from a distance in stunned silence as the aircraft went down. Many stood frozen, with their hand over their heads, struggling to process what they had just witnessed, while the dark plume billowed upward.The incident occurred during one of the aviation industry’s most prominent events, where India’s indigenous Tejas jet was participating in a scheduled display to highlight the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities.The Indian Air Force confirmed that the pilot suffered critical injuries in the crash and later succumbed to them, according to an official statement. The Indian Air Force stated that additional information is being gathered.Authorities have begun investigating the cause of the crash, and further details are awaited.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDeadly 5.5 Earthquake Rocks Bangladesh, Killing At Least Six, Triggers Widespread Panic Across DhakaIndia Demands End To Veto Manipulation And Calls For Comprehensive Reform Of The UN Security CouncilOperation Sindoor 2.0 Talk Rises As Expert Says India Must Hit Pak But Fix White Collar Terror TooIn Fiery UK Conclave Speech, Suhel Seth Says India Has Evolved Beyond 1947, Now Shapes Global PowerShashi Tharoor Says The UN Cannot Be Abandoned Despite Gaza And Ukraine At Desmond Tutu LecturePiyush Goyal Says India And Israel Are Emotionally Close, Recalls Pahalgam And Delhi Terror Attacks’Eternally Grateful’: Sheikh Hasina’s Son Thanks PM Modi For Saving His Mother’s Life, Slams YunusIndia And Israel Launch FTA Talks; Piyush Goyal, Nir Barkat Sign Terms Of ReferenceDelhi’s Pollution Forces Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong To Cough, Stop Her Speech MidwayJaishankar Meets Afghan Commerce Minister Azizi In Delhi; Trade, Connectivity Discussed123PhotostoriesFrom ‘120 Bahadur’ to ‘The Family Man 3’: Movies and OTT releases to watch this weekendHow Bollywood mothers turned tender love into unshakeable strength on screenMumbai Infrastructure Boost: LBS Marg-BKC Flyover Connector Nears Early Completion, Promises Seamless Traffic Flow7 birds whose name starts with letter U10 cute baby girl names inspired by popular cartoon charactersKFC, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Haldiram’s And More May Soon Set Up Outlets At Indian Railway StationsAllu Arha birthday special: Adorable social media moments shared by Allu Arjun and Sneha ReddyWho are Smriti Mandhana’s parents? The quiet strength behind the cricket star5 ways to rebuild connection after too many fightsTravel inspiration of the day: 5 green getaways in India for a breath of fresh air123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingBest Rockstar Games to Play for GTA 6Savannah JamesGiannis AntetokounmpoTrevon DiggsDelhi School Suicide CaseKolkata EarthquakeCandace OwensGavin BrindleySophie CunninghamMLB Trade Rumors
NEW DELHI: An Indian Air Force Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show on Friday afternoon, sending thick black smoke rising from the crash site and shocking spectators. The HAL-manufactured fighter jet went down at approximately 2:10pm local time while performing aerial manoeuvres, according to officials.Multiple eyewitness videos showed the aircraft appearing to lose balance before nosediving and crashing at a distance from the spectator area. Emergency response teams immediately moved in as smoke billowed across the airfield.Spectators watched from a distance in stunned silence as the aircraft went down. Many stood frozen, with their hand over their heads, struggling to process what they had just witnessed, while the dark plume billowed upward.The incident occurred during one of the aviation industry’s most prominent events, where India’s indigenous Tejas jet was participating in a scheduled display to highlight the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities.The Indian Air Force confirmed that the pilot suffered critical injuries in the crash and later succumbed to them, according to an official statement. The Indian Air Force stated that additional information is being gathered.Authorities have begun investigating the cause of the crash, and further details are awaited.