Combat plane crashes in huge fireball while performing a vertical loop in front of crowd at Dubai Air Show

UK Daily Mail ^ | 11/21/2025 | TARYN KAUR PEDLER

[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.

[NorthMountain]

Seems like we would have by now a computer controlled eject if the plane is unrecoverable.

Highly unlikely to ever happen ... because fighter pilots would not tolerate it. It's their ship, and their responsibility, from the moment it starts moving to the moment it stops moving.

[Rappini]

Funny thing about loops you need a lot of altitude.

[TangoLimaSierra]

Highly unlikely to ever happen ... because fighter pilots would not tolerate it.

Could be. What I'm thinking of does not take control from the pilot unless the plane would not survive the next couple of seconds. Like if the pilot is unconscious or the g forces are so high the pilot can't operate the eject sequence.

[faucetman]

There is no good reason for these types of airshows to exist. Just let the people look at the planes on the ground.

These air “stunts” are just too dangerous. You just never know when an engine is going to fall off.