Outlook Business Desk
On Friday, Wing Commander Namansh Syal of the Indian Air Force lost his life when his Tejas Light Combat Aircraft crashed during a flight demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, abruptly ending India’s display of its indigenous fighter jet.
The accident happened around 3:40 pm IST during an aerobatic display. Eyewitnesses captured the fighter entering a steep dive before striking the ground and exploding.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed the pilot’s death, expressing condolences to his family. A formal Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the crash and determine the precise cause of the accident.
Early assessments indicate that the pilot might have struggled to recover from a high-G turn. The Tejas, a single-engine lightweight fighter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, has been in IAF service since 2016, with only one prior crash.
Wing Commander Namansh Syal was from Patialkadh in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. He attended Sainik School Sujanpur Tira, which prepared him for a military career, before joining the National Defence Academy and earning his wings at the Air Force Academy.
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 24, 2009, Commander Namansh Syal advanced steadily in his career. He was posted at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu, serving with the Tejas squadron and selected for the Dubai Air Show.
Commander Namansh Syal grew up in a family deeply connected to the military. His father served in the Indian Army medical corps and retired as a principal. His wife also serves as an officer in the Indian Air Force.
Condolence messages flowed in from state leaders. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and former CM Jairam Thakur expressed grief over losing a courageous officer. Meanwhile, investigators will review flight data, video footage and communication logs to determine the cause.