On November 21, 2025, a tragic accident unfolded at the Dubai Air Show when an Indian HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration flight, engulfing in flames and sending thick black smoke into the air. The pilot, later identified as Wing Commander Namansh Syal, lost his life in the crash. The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed the fatal injuries and expressed deep regret.
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| Tragic Incident at Dubai Air Show : Tejas Jet Crash |
What Happened: Sequence of Events
According to eyewitnesses and video footage covered by NDTV:
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The Tejas fighter jet was performing a negative-G turn — a high-risk aerobatic maneuver.
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After that, it attempted to roll, but the aircraft was flying very low, leaving little room to recover.
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Because of the low altitude and high descent rate, it lost control and crashed.
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Immediately after the crash, the jet exploded in a large fireball, and black smoke billowed.
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Onlookers in the crowd were shocked; many recorded the crash on their phones.
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Emergency teams responded quickly, with firefighting crews dousing the wreckage.
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Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force announced a court of inquiry to investigate the cause.
Who Was the Pilot
The pilot was Wing Commander Namansh Syal, aged 37, originally from Himachal Pradesh, India. His death has deeply saddened many, and condolences poured in, including from the Chief Minister of his home state.
Technical Insights: Why the Crash May Have Happened
A few technical and flight-related factors emerge from initial reports:
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The aircraft was doing a negative-G turn, which essentially means the G-forces were acting in the opposite direction of normal gravity. Negative G maneuvers are risky, especially at low altitude, because the aircraft and pilot may be more vulnerable to loss of control.
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After the turn, the pilot appeared to initiate a roll, but the jet didn’t fully stabilize. By the time it leveled its wings, the vertical speed (i.e., rate of descent) was too high, making recovery impossible.
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Experts also suggest that there was simply not enough altitude to recover from the maneuver.
About the Tejas Jet
To understand the gravity of this incident, it helps to know what the Tejas is:
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The HAL Tejas (LCA – Light Combat Aircraft) is a single-engine, lightweight multirole fighter made largely in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
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It is an important part of India’s efforts to modernize its air force fleet, designed to replace older aircraft.
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The Tejas is considered quite advanced in terms of its design: it uses a mix of modern materials (like carbon composites) and is relatively lighter compared to many other contemporary fighters.
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Despite being “home-grown,” it uses a foreign engine (from General Electric).
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According to Wikipedia, this crash during the Dubai Airshow marks the second known crash in its program history, and the first fatal one.
Aftermath & Investigation
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The IAF has set up a court of inquiry to look into the exact cause of the crash.
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Officials from both India and UAE are expected to cooperate in the investigation.
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The crash happened in front of a large crowd at Al Maktoum International Airport, where the Dubai Air Show was being held.
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Despite the severity of the crash, the air show resumed after about two hours, once the crash site was handled.
Reactions & Significance
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The Indian Air Force expressed its grief, stating it “deeply regrets the loss of life” and stands with the pilot’s family.
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The Government of Dubai Media Office called the pilot’s death “tragic” and confirmed that emergency teams responded swiftly.
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For India, the Tejas is more than just a jet — it symbolizes its push for self-reliance in defence. This crash could raise questions and scrutiny about the aircraft’s safety during aerobatic displays, though such incidents also reflect the inherent risk of high-performance flight demonstrations.
Lessons and Broader Impact
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Risk in Aerobatics
Demonstration flights are always high-risk, especially when complex manoeuvres like negative-G turns are involved. Pilots flying these displays push the aircraft to its limits, and any small miscalculation can be catastrophic. -
Importance of Altitude
Low-altitude manoeuvres reduce the margin for error. Without enough height, even experienced pilots may not recover if something goes wrong. -
Safety & Training
Such incidents highlight the critical importance of stringent training, simulation, and safety protocols for airshow pilots. Investigations will likely look into whether standard operating procedures were followed. -
Public & Diplomatic Repercussions
A crash at a high-profile global event like the Dubai Air Show draws international attention. This might influence perceptions about Tejas’s reliability, especially in potential export markets. -
Value of Inquiry
The court of inquiry will be vital to understand the root cause — whether it was pilot error, mechanical fault, or something else. Its findings could drive changes in flight demonstration policies or even technical upgrades to the aircraft.
Honouring the Pilot
Wing Commander Namansh Syal paid the ultimate price. He was performing a demonstration to represent his country on a global stage. The aviation community, his family, and the nation mourn his loss. His sacrifice underscores the bravery and expertise required to fly such advanced machines under demanding conditions.
Conclusion
The Tejas crash at the 2025 Dubai Air Show is a sobering reminder of how precarious life in the skies can be — especially for pilots executing high-risk aerobatics. While investigation is underway, the incident underlines both the promise and perils of modern fighter aircraft like Tejas. As India watches and waits for answers, one thing remains clear: Wing Commander Syal's courage and dedication will not be forgotten.