Overview
- The aircraft went down at about 14:10 local time during a low‑level roll at Al Maktoum International Airport, and the pilot did not eject, according to video reports.
- Wing Commander Namansh Syal, 34, hailed from Kangra and is survived by his wife, an Indian Air Force officer, and their young daughter.
- A videograb circulating from earlier in the day shows Syal with Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal and MEA official Aseem Mahajan.
- The IAF confirmed the fatality and announced a formal investigation, recording this as the second major Tejas accident after a 2024 Jaisalmer crash in which the pilot survived.
- Family and officials said the body will arrive at Gaggal airport on Sunday, with cremation at Selud to follow with full state and military honours.