A Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday afternoon during a flying demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, sending a plume of thick black smoke over Al Maktoum International Airport as crowds looked on. The pilot died in the crash, the Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed. The pilot was identified as Wing Commander Namansh Syal.
“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 IAF said in a statement.
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…
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 21, 2025
The aircraft — a single-seat Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) — went down at around 2:10 pm local time, according to eyewitnesses and videos sourced by NDTV.
Firefighting and emergency teams responded rapidly to the incident and are currently managing the situation on-site, the Dubai government said.
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. Moments before the impact, the Tejas 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.
Clearer footage of the Indian Air Force crash at the Dubai Air Show https://t.co/EOfroFXtyS pic.twitter.com/mxkTNNderS
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 21, 2025
“General Anil Chauhan, CDS and all ranks of Indian Armed Forces deeply regret the incident in which 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. We deeply regret the loss of life and stand firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief,” the Integrated Defence Staff said in a statement.
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.
The incident marks the second crash involving a Tejas aircraft in less than two years. In March 2024, a Tejas fighter went down in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, the first such accident in the aircraft’s 23-year history since its maiden test flight in 2001. The pilot ejected safely in that case.
The Tejas is a 4.5-generation multi-role combat aircraft, built to perform air-defence missions, offensive air support, and close-combat operations. It is noted for being one of the lightest and smallest fighters in its class.
A key feature of the jet is its Martin-Baker zero-zero ejection seat, designed to allow pilots to eject safely even at zero altitude and zero speed — such as during take-off, landing, or low-level manoeuvres. The system uses an explosive charge to blow off the canopy, thrust the pilot clear of the aircraft, and deploy parachutes to stabilise descent.
“HAL is deeply saddened by the loss of the courageous IAF pilot during the aerial display at the Dubai Air Show. HAL expresses its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,” HAL said in a statement.
Spectators at the air show witnessed the crash from viewing enclosures near the runway. Videos showed the Tejas flying a demonstration routine before losing altitude and descending rapidly. Seconds later, a column of black smoke rose, prompting gasps and hurried movement among visitors.
The Tejas programme has been central to India’s efforts to modernise its ageing fighter fleet and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. The first Tejas squadron, the No. 45 ‘Flying Daggers’, was inducted into the IAF in 2016.
In September, the Centre signed a major new contract with HAL for 97 additional Tejas fighters, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027. The government had earlier committed to buying 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft under a 2021 agreement, although those deliveries have been delayed.
Following the crash, leaders across the political spectrum offered their condolences.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of our brave IAF pilot in the Tejas crash at the Dubai Air Show. My heartfelt condolences to his family. The nation stands with them, honouring his courage and service,” said Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
“Deeply anguished at the loss of a brave and courageous IAF pilot during an aerial display in Dubai Air Show. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The nation stands firmly with the family in this tragic hour,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.
