An indigenous Indian fighter jet crashed during the Dubai Airshow in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, killing its pilot, according to a statement by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
“An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident,” the IAF said.
The statement added that the IAF “stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief” and expressed deep regret over the loss of life.
The IAF also said it will “ascertain the cause of the accident.”
Earlier, videos shared on social media showed the single-seater jet crashing at the Dubai Airshow and producing large amounts of smoke. Indian broadcaster NDTV reported that the crash happened at around 2.10 pm local time at Al Maktoum International Airport, with thick smoke quickly spreading at the site.
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The aircraft, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, marks the second Tejas crash in less than two years. Last March, a Tejas fighter crashed in India’s western state of Rajasthan, which was “the first such accident in the aircraft’s 23-year history since its maiden test flight in 2001,” though the pilot had ejected safely.