On Friday, at the Dubai Airshow, Wing Commander Namansh Syal of the Indian Air Force (IAF) tragically lost his life in an accident. The 37-year-old pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers at a low altitude in the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Mk-1) when the plane suddenly crashed.
The IAF, in its statement, said that Wing Commander Syal suffered serious injuries in the accident, leading to his death. The IAF expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and stood by the grieving family during this difficult time. A Court of Inquiry will be set up to investigate the cause of the accident. This was the second crash involving the Tejas aircraft since it entered service.
Who was Wing Commander Namansh Syal?
Wing Commander Namansh Syal hailed from the Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. He was dearly loved by his wife, who is also an IAF officer, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents.
According to reports, he received his education from Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira, and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 24, 2009. His father, Jagannath Syal, was previously in the Army Medical Corps and later retired as a school principal.
Reaction from Himachal
The news of the pilot’s death has sent shockwaves through his home state. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed condolences, calling him a “brave and duty-bound pilot.” Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur called it “extremely tragic and painful.”
What happened at the Dubai Airshow?
The Dubai Airshow, one of the largest aviation events in the world, witnessed this tragic accident involving the Tejas aircraft. A video of the incident shows the plane suddenly tilting downward, catching fire, and sending black smoke over the airfield.
Before this, another Tejas aircraft had crashed near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan in March 2024. However, in that case, the pilot was able to eject safely and escape unharmed.
