Post by : Rameen Ariff

In a somber event at the Dubai Air Show, Indian Air Force Wing Commander Namansh Syal tragically lost his life when the Tejas fighter jet he was piloting went down. The crash occurred near Al Maktoum International Airport during a demonstration flight on Friday.

Meeting with Officials Preceded the Flight

Prior to the airborne event, a video captured Wing Commander Syal engaging with distinguished Indian officials present at the air show, including:

• The Minister of State for Defence

• India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal

• Additional Secretary (Gulf), Aseem R Mahajan

The 34-year-old pilot hailed from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. He is survived by his wife, also an IAF officer, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents. Family members remembered him as a humble and dedicated individual who was on the verge of a promotion.

Circumstances of the Crash

The crash transpired around 2:10 pm local time as the Tejas jet was executing aerobatic maneuvers. Reports indicate the pilot lost control during a negative-G maneuver at low altitude.

Footage from the event depicted the sharp descent prior to impact.

IAF Launches Investigation

In the wake of this incident, the Indian Air Force conveyed profound sorrow over the loss and announced the initiation of a court of inquiry to investigate the cause. The IAF expressed its unwavering support for the family of the fallen pilot during this trying time.

Second Tejas Incident in Recent Years

This marks the second Tejas crash in less than two years. Previously, a Tejas jet had an accident in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer in March, where the pilot managed a safe ejection. The Tejas is India's domestically developed light combat aircraft, known for its agility and stellar performance, frequently showcased in international air events.

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