Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Namansh Syal was killed on Friday when a Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Mk-1) crashed during a demonstration flight at the Dubai Airshow, the IAF confirmed.
Wing Commander Syal’s father, Jagan Nath Syal, said he discovered the tragic news while browsing videos of the airshow on YouTube. Speaking to The Indian Express, he shared that he had been looking for clips of the Tejas display when reports of the crash appeared on his screen.
He recalled that he had spoken with his son just a day earlier. During their conversation, Wing Commander Syal had encouraged his father to watch his performance at the event on television or online.
“After I saw the reports, I immediately called my daughter-in-law,” he said. Syal’s wife, who is also an IAF Wing Commander, was at the time unaware of the unfolding situation.
Shortly afterwards, a team of six Air Force officers arrived at the family home in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. “That was when I realised something terrible had happened,” said the retired school principal.
What Happened at the Dubai Airshow?
Videos from the scene showed the Tejas jet entering a steep descent before crashing, followed by a plume of thick smoke rising from the impact site. The incident occurred on the final day of the airshow, which began on November 17.
According to the IAF, the pilot was carrying out low-level aerobatic manoeuvres when the aircraft went down.
In an official statement posted on X, the IAF said:
“An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow today. 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.”
The Air Force also confirmed that a court of inquiry has been initiated to determine the cause of the crash.
