Indian HAL Tejas
HAL = Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Posted on 11/21/2025 6:48:23 AM PST by DFG
A combat plane crashed in a huge fireball explosion this morning killing the pilot as horrified crowds watched on at 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.
Dramatic footage showed the warplane hurtling towards the ground at Al Maktoum International Airport before it crashed in a massive fireball having failed to pull up in time.
Shahad Alnaqbi, an onlooker at the show, recalled the ordeal to local media. 'We were watching the display when suddenly we saw smoke and an explosion. People started running and screaming, and then the ambulance arrived quickly,' she said.
Visitors quickly began fleeing the scene as emergency and firefighting teams scrambled to manage the devastating incident.
Clips shared on social media show dozens of people, including children, dashing from the area as a column of smoke rose, drawing gasps from the crowds.
'It was a wonderful show until this tragic accident occurred, shocking all of us watching the airshow. From the way the flight turned before it went down, I strongly feel the pilot tried to save the spectators,' Shajudheen Jabbar, who witnessed the accident along with his wife Shiny and daughter Ashley, told Gulf News.
'It's so unfortunate that he couldn't escape. We are deeply saddened that someone died before our eyes, and the pain is even greater knowing it was an Indian fighter jet pilot'.
The Indian Air Force has taken to X, stating: '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.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Indian HAL Tejas
HAL = Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Massive fireballs. That’ll put asses in the bleachers.
This pilot did the absolute right thing, with only a couple seconds available.
Hats off to you, sir. Thank you for saving the spectators.
HAL = Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that.
Another No Name Given ?
'It was a wonderful show until this tragic accident occurred, shocking all of us watching the airshow. From the way the flight turned before it went down, I strongly feel the pilot tried to save the spectators,' Shajudheen Jabbar, who witnessed the accidentYes, he would, even at the price of his own life. Fighter pilots the world around are a very special breed of humans.
The maneuver was designed to not impact spectators if he screwed up. He screwed up. Period.
He didn’t appear to be anywhere near the spectators to me
For saving the spectators, he will be reincarnated in a higher caste.
And that’s why I don’t go to air shows.
Looks like a mediocre knock off of the SAAB Gripen.
LOL
It did.
Now it looks like Sanford And Son's junkyard.
The Indians won't be selling many of those to potential buyers at the air show this year.
I wonder why he was unable to eject.
Reminds me of the Delta Dart.
“Hello this is Peggy”
It's very likely he had the ability to eject, but chose to stay with the plane to make sure no one on the ground was killed.
He wouldn't be the first, but one of a long and noble line.
Maybe his team didn’t calculate the maneuver for higher ambient temperature and thinner air.
Might have been too many Gs at that point.
Seems like we would have by now a computer controlled eject if the plane is unrecoverable.
Yep, looks like a miscalculation. No remains.
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