New Delhi : Indian Air Force Wing Commander Namansh Syal tragically died after a Tejas fighter jet crash during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show 2025.
A video captured moments before the accident shows the 34‑year‑old pilot from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, alongside dignitaries including Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, India’s Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal, and Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R. Mahajan.
Wing Commander Syal is survived by his wife, also an IAF officer, their six‑year‑old daughter, and his parents. Family members from his native Patiyalkar village described him as humble and dedicated, noting he was due for a promotion.
Details of the Tejas Crash
- The HAL‑developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas went down at approximately 2:10 pm local time near Al Maktoum International Airport.
- Preliminary footage suggests the jet failed to recover from a negative‑G manoeuvre at low altitude.
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered a court of inquiry to investigate the cause.
Tejas Fighter Jet Safety Record
This incident is the second Tejas crash in under two years. In March 2024, a Tejas aircraft went down in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, marking the first accident in the jet’s 23‑year history since its maiden flight in 2001. In that case, the pilot ejected safely.
