Combat aircraft crashes in enormous fireball whereas performing a vertical loop in entrance of crowd at Dubai Air Show

A combat plane crashed in a huge fireball this morning during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show.

The Indian HAL Tejas, a combat aircraft used in the Indian Air Force, crashed around 2.10pm local time on Friday while attempting to perform a vertical loop.

The pilot has been confirmed dead by the UAE Ministry of Defence and Indian Air Force.

MOD UAE wrote in a post on X: ‘In a tragic accident that occurred just moments ago, a pilot from the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost his life today when his multi-role Tejas fighter aircraft crashed during its participation in the flying display accompanying the Dubai Airshow. The relevant teams responded immediately to the incident’. 

Footage captured thick black smoke rising over the Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central as a crowd of spectators watched, and sirens sounded after the crash. 

An IAF spokesperson said: ‘A Tejas of IAF has crashed in Dubai Air Show-25. 

‘Further details are being ascertained at the moment. Will give further details in some time.’ 

The Indian HAL Tejas, a combat aircraft used in the Indian Air Force, crashed around 2.10pm local time on Friday

It wasn’t immediately clear if the pilot ejected, or if anyone was injured in the incident

Black smoke rose over the Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central as a crowd of spectators watched, and sirens sounded after the crash

The city-state’s second airport was hosting the biennial Dubai Air Show, which has seen major aircraft orders by both the long-haul carrier Emirates and its lower-cost sister airline FlyDubai.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.