Dubai: Wing Commander Namansh Syal was the pilot who lost his life after the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show on Friday afternoon.
Wing Commander Syal was from the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and had been commissioned into the IAF in 2009. No further details about him have been released by the IAF. Senior officers have got in touch with his family and his mortal remains will be brought back from the United Arab Emirates for a final farewell with full military honours.
“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. The IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the IAF said.
A video of the accident shows the aircraft hurtling towards the ground before crashing and exploding into a fireball. No parachute could be seen in the clip. There was a large crowd watching the aerial display when the accident occurred. The aircraft is seen crashing beyond the perimeter of the airbase and no damage to life or property has been reported as yet.
The Dubai Air Show started on November 17 and is to end today.
The IAF participated with its Surya Kiran aerobatics team and Tejas aircraft.
“An IAF contingent comprising of Suryakiran Aerobatic Team and Tejas fighters landed at Al Maktoum Airbase, Dubai for the Dubai Air Show. The global event, with participation from over 100 Air Forces, aims to enhance interoperability, operational edge, and foster military as well as business cooperation. The event is scheduled to take place at Al Maktoum Airbase from 17 to 21 Nov 25,” the IAF had posted on X on November 15.
This is the first time an Indian fighter jet has crashed on foreign soil during peacetime.
This crash is the second one in the 24-year-old history of the Tejas. The first crash took place in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, in 2024. The pilot had managed to evict the aircraft during that crash.
The IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry into Friday’s crash at Dubai. Authorities there have assured all assistance.
