A retired school principal in Himachal Pradesh learnt about his son’s death in the Dubai Airshow Tejas crash while browsing YouTube to watch his performance. Wing Commander Namansh Syal of the Indian Air Force died on Friday when the indigenous HAL Tejas fighter jet he was flying went down during an aerobatic display at the Al Maktoum International Airport.

The tragic accident occurred around 2.15 pm local time during a low-level manoeuvre on the final day of the major aviation event. The IAF later confirmed the 37-year-old pilot’s death as investigations were launched into what caused the aircraft to plunge suddenly before bursting into flames.

Father learnt of crash on YouTube

Jagan Nath Syal, father of the deceased pilot, said he had been watching videos from the Dubai Airshow after his son urged him to check his performance on television and online. While scrolling through YouTube on Friday evening, he unexpectedly came across news reports of a Tejas crash, The Indian Express reported.

Shocked, he immediately called his daughter-in-law – also a Wing Commander in the Air Force – before officers arrived at their residence in Coimbatore. Their presence, he said, made him realise that “something bad” had happened. IAF personnel told the family that the repatriation of the pilot’s remains could take a couple of days.

A decorated officer with strong academic roots

Wing Commander Syal, originally from Patial Kad village in Kangra district, studied at Army Public School and later at Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira. He cleared the National Defence Academy examination in 2009 and went on to build a distinguished career in the IAF. Family members described him as an exceptional student with ambitious goals.

His father – a former soldier of the Army Medical Corps who later served in the education department – said the family was devastated. The pilot is survived by his wife, a serving IAF officer undergoing training in Kolkata, their young daughter, and his parents.

Family grieving; State leaders express condolences

Relatives told ANI that the entire village was mourning the loss of the “brave son of Kangra.” Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu described the death as heartbreaking, praising the pilot’s “indomitable bravery” and commitment to service. District officials in Kangra remain in touch with the family to provide support.

Crash at Dubai Airshow under investigation

The Dubai Airshow, involving participation from more than 150 countries, was hosting its final demonstrations when the Tejas Mark 1 aircraft nosedived and exploded into a fireball. Videos from the scene showed thick smoke rising over the airfield.

A court of inquiry has been set up to determine what led to the crash. This is the second major incident involving the Tejas since its induction into the IAF in 2016 – the previous crash took place in March 2024 near Jaisalmer during a training sortie, when the pilot managed to eject safely.

Authorities are now reviewing flight data, eyewitness accounts, and technical logs as part of efforts to reconstruct the moments before Friday’s fatal accident.