By Satyen Mohapatra
The Dubai’s Airshow at Al Maktoum International Airport turned into tragedy today when an Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed around 2.10 pm leading to the death of the pilot.
This happening at an international event in front of large audience definitely puts a question mark on the capability of the Indian aircraft which is to be inducted in large numbers into the Indian Air Force. A detailed probe would be undertaken by the IAF.
The squadron leader who died has been identified as Wing Commander Namansh Syal from Kangra.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressing grief over the death said the tragic incident has taken away “a brave and dedicated pilot,” adding that the nation will always remember Syal’s courage, commitment to duty, and service to the country. He extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.
It was trying to attempt aerial acrobatics with a low roll when the plane suddenly went out of control and nosedived crashing into the ground and burst into a ball of fire, killing the lone pilot about 1.6km from the show site.
The audience at the show were immediately evacuated from the site as helicopters and firefighters rushed to the spot.
This is the second such incident involving Tejas aircraft.
In March 2024, a Tejas fighter went down in Rajasthan. That was the jet’s first accident in the aircraft's 23-year history. The pilot ejected safely in that case.
For two hours all the aerial stunts were stopped after which the audience saw on display the French Rafale jets, US F-16, Morrocco’s rarely seen Marche Verte (Green March) squadron and UAE's Fursan Al Emarat.
The Dubai Airshow Organising Committee has extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of the Indian Air Force pilot who lost his life.
The Committee has also conveyed its deepest sympathies to the Indian Air Force.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was “deeply anguished” by the death of a brave and courageous IAF pilot during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show.
Extending his condolences, he said his “heartfelt sympathies” were with the bereaved family and added that the nation stands firmly with them in this tragic hour.
The Indian Air Force in a statement said that a court of inquiry is being constituted.
“An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF 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,” an Air Force spokesperson said.
Tejas the first indigenous fighter aircraft was manufactured by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) in 2000 designed as a light combat jet to replace India's fleet of Russian MiG-21s.
The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity with India and its sincere condolences for the tragic incident that occurred today.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,UAE, expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the family of the deceased, to the Indian government, and to the friendly Indian people in this unfortunate incident.
A court of inquiry has been instituted to go into the reasons for crash which could by human error or mechanical fault . The sabotage angle would also be looked into.
The Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder would be recovered to help in the inquiry.