The unprecedented and shocking descent of the indigenous Tejas into a crash at the Dubai Air Show on Friday, left the spectators at the show in despair. While investigations are still ongoing and the real reason is still not clear, the tragic incident has claimed the life of Wing Commander Namansh Syal.
The young officer hailed from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district and was known for his professionalism and calm precision in the cockpit. It was during a high-profile aerobatic display that the tragedy struck the fighter jet.
The accident occurred at 2:08 PM local time, while the Tejas was performing an aerial manoeuvre before an international audience. Eyewitnesses saw the aircraft pull up into a planned loop, flip into an inverted position, and then descend—part of a routine that typically involves the jet climbing again to complete a clean arc.
The second time, the fighter jet failed to regain altitude, and within seconds it crashed, erupting into a ball of flames. Later, the IAF confirmed that the pilot could not survive the crash.
What Do Aviation Experts Say?
Aviation experts reviewing the footage said that the jet appeared to be executing a barrel roll—a manoeuvre that requires the aircraft to fly upside down while completing a 360-degree axial rotation.
Early assessments suggest the aircraft may have been too low or lacked sufficient speed to recover from the inversion, leaving no margin for correction.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed his grief over the news and posted on X.
दुबई एयर शो में हुए तेजस विमान हादसे में हिमाचल प्रदेश के कांगड़ा ज़िला के वीर सपूत नमन स्याल जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद और हृदयविदारक है।
— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) November 21, 2025
देश ने एक बहादुर, कर्तव्यनिष्ठ और साहसी पायलट खो दिया है।
शोकाकुल परिवारजनों के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएँ प्रकट करता हूँ।
वीर सपूत… pic.twitter.com/lfX1yinf4Q
Wing Commander Syal’s passing marks a profound loss for the Indian Air Force, which showcased Tejas across global airshows with an almost impeccable safety record. Expressing grief over the incident Defense Minister Rajnath Singh Took to X, and said
Deeply anguished at the loss of a brave and courageous IAF pilot during an aerial display in Dubai Air Show. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The nation stands firmly with the family in this tragic hour. https://t.co/KeuBZswM1X
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 21, 2025
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the Indian Air Force pilot who lost his life in the Tejas aircraft crash at the Dubai Air Show on Friday.
He said, “Deeply saddened by the loss of our brave IAF pilot in the Tejas crash at the Dubai Air Show. My heartfelt condolences to his family. The nation stands with them, honouring his courage and service.”
Earlier, the Indian Air Force confirmed the pilot’s death after the Tejas aircraft crashed and burst into flames during the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday.
Deeply saddened by the loss of our brave IAF pilot in the Tejas crash at the Dubai Air Show.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 21, 2025
My heartfelt condolences to his family. The nation stands with them, honouring his courage and service.
What happened when the Tejas Crashed last time
This is not the first time that a Tejas fighter jet has crashed. The last crash occurred just a year earlier, in March 2024, near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. During that incident, the pilot was able to eject before the crash. An investigation launched into the matter revealed that the crash had happened due to an engine seizure triggered by an oil pump malfunction in the fighter jet’s engine.
Today’s crash came shortly after the government dismissed viral claims about an alleged oil leak from the Tejas Mk1 fighter at the Dubai Air Show. The IAF has said that a Court of Inquiry has been set up to determine the cause of the accident. The Tejas uses Fe404 engine from GE aerospace,the same engine powers other aircraft such as the Saab Gripen and Boeing F/A 18 Hornet.
