Tragic Crash of Tejas Fighter Jet at Dubai Air Show

Post by : Raina Nasser

A single-seat Tejas Light Combat Aircraft met with disaster during a flying demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, leaving the audience in disbelief. The tragic incident occurred around 2:10 PM local time at Al Maktoum International Airport.

Footage captured by onlookers shows the Tejas performing a negative G turn, a high-risk aerobatic manoeuvre, before it unexpectedly lost altitude. As the aircraft attempted a roll, it was flying too low, plunging downwards too quickly. Upon leveling its wings, the jet descended rapidly, ultimately crashing feet away from the ground and erupting into flames, exuding dense black smoke.

Witnesses reported that the jet was descending lower during the manoeuvre, with many spectators initially hopeful the pilot could regain control. However, the aircraft crashed just moments later. Videos and images from the scene depict the Tejas engulfed in flames, reduced to a mangled wreck on the runway.

The pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, tragically lost his life in the crash at the age of 34. Hailing from a village in Himachal Pradesh, he is mourned by his wife, also an Indian Air Force member, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents. Syal was a seasoned pilot, educated at a prestigious military academy in Himachal Pradesh. His father served in the Army before entering the education field.

Understanding Negative G Manoeuvres

A negative G manoeuvre is characterized by forces acting against normal gravity, often occurring during aerobatic flights, steep descents, or turbulence. If not managed carefully, these conditions can lead to disorientation or momentary blackouts. Pilots undergo specialized training to navigate such situations safely.

This tragic event has left both aviation fans and officials profoundly affected. The Dubai Air Show, celebrated for its thrilling aerial displays, experienced one of its darkest moments with the downfall of the Tejas aircraft during what was intended to be a flawless demonstration.