Tragedy struck the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday when a Tejas fighter jet crashed, claiming the life of its pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal. The 34-year-old accomplished aviator, a native of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, was unable to eject as the aircraft lost control and plummeted to the ground at Al Maktoum International Airport. Wing Commander Syal was a seasoned pilot with extensive training, including experience with the MiG-21 and formidable Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs, before recently flying the Tejas for the third Squadron. His loss has been met with profound sorrow and tributes from national and state leaders, highlighting his bravery and dedication to service. The Indian Air Force has initiated a formal inquiry to determine the precise cause of the accident, which occurred around 2:10 PM local time. Eyewitness accounts suggest the aircraft failed to recover altitude after an inverted maneuver. This unfortunate incident marks the second Tejas crash in less than two years, though the previous incident in Rajasthan allowed for a safe ejection.
