Tragic Tejas Fighter Jet Crash at Dubai Air Show: Analysis of the Accident and Tribute to Wing Commander Namansh Syal

Tejas fighter aircraft was observed descending before its tragic crash at the Dubai Air Show.

An attendee at the Dubai Air Show captured the devastating moment when the Tejas fighter jet crashed during its aerial demonstration, erupting into flames and generating a substantial plume of black smoke. Spectators at Al Maktoum International Airport who had gathered for the aviation exhibition were seen rising from their seats to witness the crash, many documenting the incident on their mobile devices.

Abu Bakr, working as a real estate advisor and aviation enthusiast, attended the Dubai Air Show due to his passion for aircraft. His recorded footage reveals the final moments of the Tejas aircraft before the catastrophic crash.

The single-seat Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas was performing a negative G turn when it collided with the ground. The aircraft was transitioning from a negative G maneuver into a roll as part of its aerobatic display. However, the jet was flying at an exceptionally low altitude during this phase, and the roll appeared not to be executed with sufficient speed to enable the aircraft to return to horizontal flight.

The aircraft seemingly lost altitude during the maneuver. By the time the Tejas achieved wings-level position after completing the barrel roll, its vertical descent rate had become excessive, causing it to impact the ground with devastating force.

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"The aircraft began descending progressively lower. We anticipated the pilot would elevate the aircraft, but it crashed immediately," Bakr recounted when describing the incident.

According to eyewitnesses and video evidence obtained by NDTV, the aircraft crashed at approximately 2:10 pm local time.

Spectators were left in a state of disbelief, Bakr mentioned.

#Watch | New Close-Up Shots From Dubai Show Tejas Wreckage Engulfed In Flames #FirstOnNDTV pic.twitter.com/3nMvRa2uPC

— NDTV (@ndtv) November 22, 2025

Images and videos shared by attendees depict the fighter jet consumed by flames and subsequently enveloped in dense black smoke.

Close-up footage shows the aircraft descending before resting on the ground engulfed in flames. Post-crash images reveal the wreckage - charred and distorted remains of the destroyed aircraft.

Post-crash images reveal the remains of the crashed Tejas fighter jet.

What Is Negative G Maneuver

In aviation terminology, Negative G refers to forces acting on an aircraft and its occupants in the opposite direction of normal gravity. These forces typically occur during aerobatic maneuvers, rapid descent, or extreme turbulence.

When not properly managed, negative G can cause disorientation or loss of consciousness as blood rushes toward the head. Pilots receive specialized training to handle and minimize the effects of negative G forces during flight operations.

Wing Commander Namansh Syal Perished In Dubai Tejas Crash

Wing Commander Namansh Syal, an Indian Air Force pilot, lost his life in the Tejas fighter jet crash. The 34-year-old pilot was from Patiyalkar village in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. He leaves behind his wife, who is also an IAF officer, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents.

Syal completed his education at Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira, in Hamirpur district, according to reports by news agency PTI.

His father, Jagarnath Syal, previously served in the Indian Army before working as a principal in the education department, as reported by news agency ANI.