# @thevigilantheroes on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DRYfer7lHEV
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66793476-thevigilantheroes-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/bbe2385779.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-11-23T02:45:14.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Vigilant Heroes (@thevigilantheroes) — https://gondola.cc/thevigilantheroes

## Caption

Tragedy at the Dubai Air Show — as an Indian HAL Tejas fighter crashed during a morning demo flight, killing its sole pilot. The aircraft went down moments after takeoff at Al Maktoum International Airport, erupting into a massive fireball as stunned spectators watched from the grandstand. Emergency crews (even a firefighting helicopter) were on scene to contain the blaze within minutes.
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The Indian Air Force confirmed the pilot’s death, expressing deep condolences and announcing that a IAF court of inquiry will work to determine the cause of the crash. Emirati crash investigators will be conducting a parallel probe. The international air show resumed about 90 minutes later as emergency crews continued their work on the ground.
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The Tejas is an Indian-built single-engine fighter, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to strengthen the nation’s own fighter manufacturing/development amid rising regional tensions. India has multiple procurement contracts with HAL for nearly 180 Tejas jets, though deliveries have faced delays tied to U.S.-made engine shortages.
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There were some conspiracy theories immediately dismissed by India’s Press Information Bureau—such as online claims that a Tejas at the show had been leaking oil prior to its demo flight (per the IAF, it was actually routine maintenance to drain condensed water—Dubai has had high humidity over the last 2 days as the seasons change)...It’s unclear whether that aircraft was the one involved in the fatal accident….We’ll keep you updated: thevigilantheroes
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#avgeek #instaaviation #military #Dubai #IAF

## Stats

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## Tags

military, iaf, dubai, avgeek, instaaviation

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