NewsGate Press Network

In a tragic incident at the Dubai Air Show, an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet Tejas Mk-1A burst into flames killing its pilot instantly while taking part in a demonstration.

A IAF statement stated that  – ‘On Friday the 21st of November 2025, afternoon Wing Commander Namansh Syal, piloting an Indian Air Force Tejas Mk.1 Light Combat Aircraft, was tragically killed when his aircraft crashed during an aerial display.’

The crash occurred while he was performing a complex maneuver; witness videos and reports indicate the aircraft lost altitude rapidly and impacted the ground before an ejection could be observed.

The Indian Air Force officially confirmed that the pilot did not survive and announced that a court of inquiry would determine the cause of the accident.

The loss of Wg Cdr Syal during this high-profile event was deeply mourned by the IAF and the larger defense community

Visuals from the crash site showed charred, mangled remains of the crashed jet.

Video of the incident indicates that the pilot failed to recover from a negative-G manoeuvre at low altitude, a defining feature of the Tejas in aerial demonstrations.

Many media reports indicated that moments before the ill-fated impact, the fighter jet appeared with its wings level, but by then, the vertical speed of the aircraft was too great and the aircraft made impact with the ground.

The pilot did not eject.

The cause of the crash is uncertain as of now and full details will be available after the inquiry report is submitted.

The crash occurred during the biennial Dubai Air Show, one of the world’s largest aviation exhibitions. The event has seen major announcements this week, including multi-billion-dollar aircraft orders by Emirates and FlyDubai.

It may be recalled that this incident is a second crash involving a Tejas aircraft in less than two years.

In March 2024, a similar variant of Tejas fighter jet had crashed in the Thar Desert region in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. In that incident pilot had successfully ejected to safety.

The Made-in-India Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet is a 4.5-generation multi-role combat aircraft suitable for air-defence missions, offensive air support, and close-combat operations.

The Tejas programme has been central to India’s efforts to indigenously modernise its ageing fighter fleet and reduce dependence on overseas war machines.

The first Tejas squadron, the No. 45 ‘Flying Daggers’, was inducted into the Indian Air Force in the year 2016.

In September, the Centre Government  signed a major new contract with HAL for 97 additional Tejas fighters, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027.