Fatal negative-G turn; Why couldn't Namansh Syal eject? Investigation ongoing to recover black box

DUBAI: An investigation was launched into the death of an IAF pilot after a Tejas fighter jet crashed during a training exercise at the Dubai Airshow in the UAE. The Indian Air Force is in talks with the Dubai Aviation Authority. A search was launched to recover the black box of the aircraft. The fatal accident happened when the aircraft tried to do a negative-G turn at a low altitude and failed to recover on time.

This investigation will bring out the reason why the pilot was unable to eject and escape. Squadron Leader Namansh Syal, a native of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, tragically died in the accident that took place at Al-Maktoum International Airport at 2.15 pm local time yesterday.

Last March, a similar accident happened in Jaisalmer, but the pilot ejected and survived. Reports say that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has discussed the accident with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the second accident in the history of indigenous Tejas Mk1 fighter jets crashing. On the last day of the Dubai Air Show, the Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran team and Tejas performed an aerial display. Tejas' performance followed the Surya Kiran team. The air show was temporarily suspended after the plane crashed.

Meanwhile, the body of Namansh Syal, who died in the accident, is likely to be brought home today. The body, which will be brought to Delhi, will be taken to his native Kangra in Himachal after completing the formalities. His wife, Afsan, is also an IAF pilot. Namansh Syal's parents are based at Sulur Air Base in Coimbatore. His father, Jagannath Syal, is an Indian Army veteran.