The Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed the death of a pilot following a tragic crash involving a Tejas fighter jet during the final day of the Dubai Air Show.
The Indian military HAL Tejas Mk1A fighter jet crashed mid-air while performing aerobatics around 2:10 PM local time (3:40 PM IST) on Friday, November 21, during a flying demonstration at Al Maktoum International Airport.
Wing Commander Namansh Syal, a seasoned IAF test pilot with over 1,500 flying hours, did not eject. Initial reports and video analysis indicate no parachute deployment or ejection seat activation was observed, likely due to the low altitude (under 500 feet) during the maneuver.
IAF confirmed the pilot’s death, describing it as a “profound loss” to the force. Families and colleagues are being supported, and condolences have poured in from across India and the UAE.
“An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. Indian Air Force deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident.”
The crash occurred in a cleared spectator area, with no injuries reported among the audience or ground crew. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emergency teams moved swiftly to contain the blaze, with response units extinguishing the fire moments after the aircraft hit the ground.
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Last moments
Eyewitnesses and videos circulating on social media showed a plume of thick black smoke over the airport as crowds looked on following the crash. Footage captured the aircraft rapidly descending before erupting into a fireball upon impact.
Videos show the aircraft nosing sharply down after a high-angle maneuver, then exploding into a fireball on impact with the ground near the runway, billowing thick black smoke.
The Tejas was reportedly executing a high-G split-S maneuver (a tight half-loop reversal) when it appeared to lose lift and entered an uncontrolled dive. Aviation experts noted the jet’s nose pitching down abruptly without recovery thrust.
Preliminary reports point to a potential technical glitch, possibly caused by a fly-by-wire system anomaly or an engine compressor stall, exacerbated by the humid Dubai conditions. The Tejas’ GE F404 engine has faced scrutiny in hot climates, though no prior issues were flagged for this airframe.
Pilot factor is also under investigation, but the Wing Commander was cleared for the display and had performed flawlessly earlier in the show. A joint UAE–IAF probe is underway and is expected to conclude in 72 hours. The incident halted proceedings briefly, with the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team’s finale canceled as a mark of respect.
Tejas fighter jets
This marks only the second operational crash for the Tejas since its induction in 2015, following a 2021 incident during a training sortie in Rajasthan.
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Designed and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Tejas is India’s first indigenous light combat aircraft and has become a strategic pillar of the country’s modernization efforts.
Earlier this month, India signed a deal to buy 113 General Electric F414 engines to power an advanced variant of the home-produced Tejas fighter jets, an agreement signaling strengthened defense ties with the United States after months of tariff-related tensions.
The Tejas Mk-1A fighters are crucial for India’s efforts to shore up its air force’s depleting fighter squadrons and replace ageing jets in the face of neighbouring China’s expanding military presence and ongoing military cooperation with Pakistan.
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