Video shows IAF’s Namansh Syal moments before fatal Tejas crash at Dubai Air Show

IAF Pilot Namansh Syal Meeting Dignitaries At Dubai Air Show Before Tejas Jet Crash

Wing Commander Namansh Syal of the Indian Air Force died after his HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday. A video surfaced showing the 34-year-old pilot from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district standing with Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, India’s envoy to the UAE Deepak Mittal, and MEA Additional Secretary (Gulf) Aseem R Mahajan before the crash.

He is survived by his wife, also an IAF officer, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents. A grieving relative said, “The entire village is very sad today.” Another added, “He was supposed to get a promotion. At 34, he was a squadron leader. He was a very humble man.”

BHARAT SALUTES ITS BRAVE SON 🇮🇳
RIP Wing Commander Namansh Syal.

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You served with courage, lived with honour, and left a legacy that will inspire generations.
Soar high, warrior #Tejas #crash #Dubai pic.twitter.com/eKxrTTZ6fC

— Anura (अनुर ) ࿗ (@Anura_Indo) November 21, 2025

Who was Wing Commander Namansh Syal?

Wing Commander Namansh Syal was a highly trained fighter pilot with experience flying both MiG-21s, recently phased out of IAF service, and Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs. He had most recently been posted with the third Tejas squadron.

According to PTI, Syal completed his schooling at Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira, in Hamirpur district. His father, Jagarnath Syal, also served in the Indian Army before joining the state education department as a principal, ANI reported.

Also read: Who was Wing Commander Namansh Syal? Brave IAF pilot who died in Tejas plane crash at Dubai Air Show

The 34-year-old officer, originally from Patiyalkar village in Kangra district and residing in Nagrota Bagwan, is survived by his wife, who serves in the IAF as well, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents.

About the Tejas Fighter Jet crash

Video footage suggests the aircraft could not recover from a negative-G manoeuvre performed at low altitude, a manoeuvre often showcased by the Tejas during air shows. Although the jet briefly levelled its wings just before impact, its descent rate was already too high, resulting in a fatal crash without ejection.

Also read: Tejas fighter jet crashes during Dubai Air Show, pilot dies

The exact reason for the accident remains under investigation.

During the November 21 display, the HAL-built Tejas began rapidly losing altitude shortly after take-off. Within moments, the aircraft plunged into the ground and erupted in flames, as captured in widely shared videos. Eyewitnesses said the single-seat Light Combat Aircraft crashed around 2:10 pm local time.