Indian Air Force Pilot Wing Commander Namansh Syal Martyred in Tejas Jet Crash During Dubai Airshow Practice

New Delhi (India) November 22: The air force officer, identified as Wing Commander Namansh Syal, 34, was martyred when an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter aircraft crashed in the United Arab Emirates today morning while he was flying to participate in the Dubai Airshow 2025. The local aircraft crashed during a practice and demonstration flight at the exclusive event in the afternoon local time.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expresses sorrow

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was deeply saddened, saying that the country had lost a brave and committed pilot. 

He posted, “The nation has lost a brave, dutiful, and courageous pilot. 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” on social media platform X.

He recalled the bravery and loyalty of Wing Commander Syal, who gave a true dedication to the country, and expressed deep grief for the family who had been killed.

Family Background: Sainik School Alumnus, Military Roots

Wing Commander Syal lived in Nagrota Bagwan and served well for discipline and the world record of service. He was enrolled at Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira, in Hamirpur district. He is survived by his elder parents, his wife, an Indian Air Force officer, and their 6-year-old daughter.

At the time of the tragedy, Jagan Nath, a retired Army officer who had spent years as a principal in the Himachal Pradesh Education Department, and his mother Bina Devi came to Hyderabad to meet their son and daughter-in-law. The Syal family’s home had been locked down for several days.

Official Statement From IAF

The IAF said it is creating a court of inquiry to determine the causes of the pilot‘s fatality.

Earlier the IAF said, “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai airshow. 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” in a statement.

The surviving details of the final rites of Wing Commander Syal are still unknown.

Family Reactions to the Tragic Loss of an IAF Hero

A relative of Wing Commander Syal, Ramesh Kumar said, "Namansh Syal's parents are currently at the Sulur Air Force Station near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. His wife, who also serves in the IAF, is in Kolkata for a course. His father, Jagannath Syal, served in the Indian Army's Medical Corps and later worked in the education department, retiring as a principal. The entire village is very sad today."

Details of Fatal Crash

This occurred in video of the pilot unable to recover from a negative-G maneuver at low altitude, one of the most important features of Tejas aerial demonstrations. The Tejas appeared to have wings level before impact, but by then the vertical speed of the aircraft was too great, and the landing was on the ground. The pilot did not eject.