The Indian Air Force pilot who lost his life in the Tejas fighter jet crash at the Dubai Airshow on Friday 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 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.
This time, however, the aircraft failed to regain altitude. Within seconds, it crashed, erupting into a plume of thick black smoke. The IAF later confirmed that the pilot did not survive.
Aviation experts reviewing the footage said the jet appeared to be executing a barrel roll, a standard manoeuvre requiring the pilot to briefly fly upside down while completing a 360-degree axial rotation.
Although not considered highly complex, such manoeuvres demand precise judgement, speed, and altitude; any miscalculation at high velocity can be fatal.
Early assessments suggest the aircraft may have been too low or lacked sufficient speed to recover from the inversion, leaving no margin for correction.
As news of Wing Commander Syal’s death spread, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief on X.
“The news of the demise of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district’s brave son Naman Syal Ji in the Tejas aircraft accident at the Dubai Air Show is extremely heartbreaking and heart-rending. The nation has lost a brave, dutiful, and courageous pilot," Sukhu said.
“I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. I pay heartfelt tribute to the indomitable bravery, dedication to duty, and commitment to national service of brave son Naman Syal Ji," he added.
Wing Commander Syal’s passing marks a profound loss for the Indian Air Force, which has showcased Tejas across global airshows with an almost impeccable safety record.
