Three Britons and a South African were aboard the UK-registered DA42 plane, UAE authorities said.
The four-seat plane was owned by Flight Calibration Services which is based at Shoreham Airport, in West Sussex.
The firm flies staff around the world to inspect and calibrate navigation aids - which include radars and landing systems for airports and airfields.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) says an investigation is under way.
