Following the tragic crash of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, an IAF officer has been dispatched to Dubai to participate in the investigation led by aviation authorities. The Tejas Mark-1, participating in a low-level aerobatic display, crashed after failing to recover from a "negative G-turn" maneuver. The pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, 37, sustained fatal injuries.
The IAF officer will serve as "a member in attendance" during the inquiry, adhering to established protocol. A primary focus of the investigation will be the aircraft's flight data recorder (FDR), often referred to as the "black box," which is expected to contain crucial data regarding the accident's cause. The FDR holds records of vital flight parameters, including speed, altitude, and control inputs, which will be essential for reconstructing the events leading up to the crash.
The exact cause of the crash remains undetermined, and investigators will explore several possibilities. These include the potential for the pilot to have experienced a "blackout" or spatial disorientation due to negative G-forces, a sudden loss of engine power, or a control malfunction. Defense experts have speculated that the pilot may have lost control or blacked out due to the G-forces. Excessive G-forces can cause blood to pool in the lower body, potentially leading to a pilot blackout.
The IAF has expressed deep regret over the loss of life and affirmed its support for Wing Commander Syal's family. His mortal remains were transported back to Sulur in Tamil Nadu. The IAF has described Wing Commander Syal as a dedicated and skilled professional who served the nation with unwavering commitment.
Despite the crash, the IAF has not grounded its Tejas Mark-1 fighters for safety checks. The Tejas, a 13.5-tonne multirole light combat aircraft, was designed to replace India's aging fleet of Russian MiG-21s. The IAF anticipates operating nearly 220 Tejas fighters and advanced Mk-1A variants in the coming years.
The Dubai Airshow Organising Committee conveyed its condolences to the family of the pilot and the Indian Air Force. The Indian Embassy in the UAE has also expressed sorrow and is providing assistance to the family, maintaining close contact with UAE authorities.
This marks the second crash involving a Tejas aircraft, with the first occurring near Jaisalmer in March 2024. A previous incident involved an engine failure during a training sortie. The Indian Air Force has launched a court of inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident.
