An Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show, killing the pilot, AP reported on November 21.

The indigenously-built light combat aircraft went down at approximately 2:10pm local time while attempting to perform a vertical loop at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. Black smoke rose over the airport as a crowd of spectators watched and sirens sounded following the crash.

The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident in a statement. "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 force said.

The Dubai Media Office confirmed the pilot's death, according to Gulf News in a later report.

The HAL-made Tejas is an indigenously developed 4.5-generation multi-role combat aircraft capable of offensive air support, close combat and ground-attack missions. It can conduct ground and maritime operations with high precision, and includes single-seat variants for both the Air Force and Navy, as well as twin-seat variants for each service.

The Indian Air Force said it "deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief".

A court of inquiry is being established to determine the cause of the accident.

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.