Tragic loss at Dubai Air Show: Meet Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the heroic IAF pilot who died in Tejas crash
Dubai/IBNS: Wing Commander Namansh Syal, an Indian Air Force pilot, died in the crash of indigenous Tejas fighter jet in Dubai on Friday, media reports said.
The jet- developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), crashed during the Dubai airshow at around 2:10 pm.
The jet crashed sending a thick plume of black smoke into the sky as shocked spectators looked on at Al Maktoum International Airport.
The IAF said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident.
This marks the second crash involving a Tejas fighter in less than two years.
In March 2024, an LCA Tejas crashed in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer — the first such incident since the aircraft’s maiden test flight in 2001. The pilot had ejected safely in that case.
Earlier this year, on September 25, 2025, India’s Ministry of Defence signed a contract with HAL to procure 97 LCA Mk-1A aircraft — comprising 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seaters — along with associated equipment for the IAF, at a cost of over ₹62,370 crore (excluding taxes). Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027–28 and will span six years.
Who was Namansh Syal?
He was the pilot of a Tejas light combat aircraft that crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show 2025.
He was from Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.
He completed his schooling at Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira.
He was commissioned into the IAF on 24 December 2009.
He is survived by his wife, who is also an IAF officer, a young daughter, and his parents.
His father, Jagan Nath Syal, served in the Indian Army and later worked in education.
After the crash, the IAF announced that a court of inquiry had been initiated to determine the cause.
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles
On G20 sidelines, Modi, Albanese fast-track a major boost to India–Australia ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, with both leaders noting the steady expansion of India–Australia cooperation since the relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.
Bengaluru horror: Elder brother kills sibling over abuse, dumps body in lake
In a shocking incident, a 24-year-old man, Dhanaraj, was killed by his elder brother Shivaraj, 28, with the help of two friends, inside a car in Bengaluru. The body was later dumped into a lake, media reports said.
Outgoing CJI Gavai defends landmark verdict on sub-classification in SC/ST quotas
Outgoing Chief Justice of India Bhushan R. Gavai, only the second Dalit judge to head the Supreme Court, on Friday firmly stood by his controversial judgment allowing sub-classification within Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, media reports said.
Nitish Kumar retains top job, but hands 'power' to BJP in Bihar Cabinet reset. Check out
Nitish Kumar may have secured a strong mandate in last week’s Bihar election, but the new cabinet tells a more complicated story about who really holds the reins.
Latest News
'You can just say yes': Trump gives jaw-dropping answer on fascism to Mamdani!
Backlash over egg‑freezing advice? Upasana Konidela sets the record straight!
Trump calls meeting with Mamdani ‘productive,’ says he hopes he will be a ‘great Mayor'
New Google AI breakthrough: Nano Banana Pro creates visuals you have to see to believe!