46 minutes ago
Last Updated:November 22, 2025, 10:03 IST
Wing Commander Namansh Syal from Kangra died in a Tejas crash during the Dubai Air Show.
Wg Cdr Namansh Syal interacting with dignitaries at Dubai Air Show. (Image: X)
An Indian Tejas fighter jet participating in the Dubai Air Show, which began on November 17 and will run until November 24, crashed on Friday. Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who was flying the aircraft, died in the tragic incident.
A video has now surfaced on social media platforms showing the Wing Commander, a resident of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra, before the crash. In the video, he can be seen interacting with India’s MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal, and MEA Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem Mahajan, and later posing for a group photograph.
Who Was Wing Commander Namansh Syal?
The young officer, who hailed from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district and was known for his professionalism and calm precision in the cockpit, was flying India’s indigenously built Tejas during a high-profile aerobatic display when the tragedy struck.
The 34-year-old pilot is reportedly survived by his wife, also an Indian Air Force officer, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents.
“The entire village is very sad today," a relative of Wing Commander Syal, who was from the Patiyalkar village, told the news agency ANI.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, calling it “heartbreaking and heart-rending."
“The nation has lost a brave, dutiful, and courageous pilot. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“I pay heartfelt tribute to the indomitable bravery, dedication to duty, and commitment to national service of brave son," Sukhu added.
What Happened At Dubai Air Show?
During the aerial display on November 21, the Indian-made HAL Tejas began losing altitude soon after take-off. The jet then nosedived into the ground within seconds and burst into flames even before the pilot could eject, as seen in videos circulating on social media.
The aircraft — a single-seat Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) — went down at around 2:10 pm local time, according to eyewitnesses.
“An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident," the IAF said in its statement posted on X.
Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft failed to recover from a high-G manoeuvre, leading to the fatal crash. The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the exact cause.
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...
Read More
Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
First Published:
November 22, 2025, 10:03 IST
News india IAF Pilot Namansh Syal’s Last Moments At Dubai Air Show Before Tejas Jet Crash | Video
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Read More
