Tejas Crash: New Close-Up Video Reveals Final Moments

A new and chilling close-up video from the Dubai Airshow has surfaced, capturing the final seconds before the Indian Air Force’s HAL Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flying display. The footage offers the closest view so far of the ill-fated manoeuvre that led to the tragic death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal.

The 37-year-old pilot, known for his precision and fearless flying, was performing a low-level aerobatic display at the Al-Maktoum International Airport on the concluding day of the Airshow. The event began on November 17, and Tejas was among the major attractions drawing global attention.

The newly emerged clip shows the aircraft executing a series of tight turns before losing altitude abruptly. Moments later, the jet plummets, hitting the ground with force and sending up a massive plume of smoke and dust. Within seconds, flames engulf the crash site, marking a devastating end to what had begun as a routine display.

Just a day earlier, another video of Wing Commander Syal had circulated, showing him interacting with dignitaries at the Airshow venue. He was seen alongside Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, India’s Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal, and senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs. It remains unclear when exactly the video was recorded during the course of the multi-day event.

Wing Commander Syal hailed from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district and is survived by his wife—also an IAF officer—their six-year-old daughter, and his parents. His family reportedly learned about the crash through online videos circulating shortly after the incident.

The loss has cast a shadow over the final day of the Dubai Airshow, where the Tejas LCA had been showcased as a symbol of India’s indigenous aviation capabilities. As investigations continue, the newly surfaced video has become a key reference point, offering a clearer picture of the aircraft’s final manoeuvres before impact.