The Indian Air Force is in mourning following the tragic death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the pilot of a Tejas fighter jet that crashed during a performance at the Dubai Air Show 2025. The incident, which took place on Friday afternoon, saw the aircraft lose control and crash at Al Maktoum International Airport. Wing Commander Syal, a 34-year-old pilot from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra region, had a distinguished career flying various aircraft, including the MiG-21 and Su-30 MKI, before piloting the Tejas for the third Squadron. The IAF has initiated a thorough investigation, a court of inquiry, to understand the factors that led to this fatal accident. Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft failing to regain altitude after an inversion. This loss is a significant one for the IAF and the nation, with tributes recognizing Wing Commander Syal’s exceptional courage and service. The loss of life weighs heavily as the investigation into the Tejas crash proceeds.
