Tejas Fighter Jet Crash: Wing Commander Namansh Syal Receives Emotional Send-off

An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was killed on Saturday when an LCA Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show, moments after executing a high-performance manoeuvre. The IAF confirmed the death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, describing the incident as a tragic loss for the service.

The Air Force, in a post on social media platform X, noted, “A dedicated fighter pilot and thorough professional, he [Wg Cdr Namansh Syal] served the nation with unwavering commitment, exceptional skill and an unyielding sense of duty. His dignified persona earned him immense respect through a life devoted to service, and was visible in the send-off attended by UAE Officials, colleagues, friends, and the officials of the Indian Embassy.” The IAF stands in solidarity with his family in this hour of profound grief and honours his legacy of courage, devotion and honour. May his service be remembered with gratitude.”

On November 23, 2025, the service shared that Wg Cdr Syal’s mortal remains were received with full military honours at the IAF base in Southern Air Command. They were brought home onboard an IAF C-130.

What is the negative-G manoeuvre the pilot attempted before crash?

Aviation specialists who analysed videos of the display said the aircraft appeared to be performing a negative-G turn, a manoeuvre in which gravitational forces push upward rather than downward, often used to demonstrate agility. The Tejas seemed to lose altitude suddenly as it attempted to regain level flight after completing a looping sequence.

Only a detailed crash investigation will determine the precise cause, but experts noted that negative-G manoeuvres can momentarily affect pilot orientation or flight control stability if not perfectly executed. The IAF stated that a court of inquiry has been ordered.

In Patiyalkar village in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, where Wing Commander Syal grew up, shock and grief have swept through the community. Villagers described the 34-year-old as an exceptional athlete and a devoted officer who “set an example even in death” by steering the aircraft away from spectator areas, potentially saving thousands.

Syal is survived by his wife, who is also an IAF officer, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents.

How safe is LCA Tejas?

The LCA Tejas fleet has one of the strongest safety records in the IAF. This is only the second crash since the programme’s first flight in 2001. The first occurred in March 2024 in Jaisalmer, 23 years after the prototype took to the skies.

The aircraft involved in the Dubai crash belonged to a squadron based at Sulur, Tamil Nadu, and had been in service since 2016.

Designed to be inherently unstable to maximise agility—similar to the US-built F-16—the Tejas relies heavily on an advanced fly-by-wire control system to maintain stability during extreme manoeuvres.

(Updates with IAF’s latest announcement in paragraph 3.)