The aviation community was left in mourning following the tragic crash of the Indian Air Force’s Tejas aircraft at the Dubai Airshow on November 21, 2025. Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the pilot of the ill-fated aircraft, lost his life when the plane lost altitude and crashed, erupting into flames. The incident brought the airshow to an abrupt halt, leaving fellow aviators and spectators in shock. In a poignant tribute, the Russian Knights aerobatic team performed the solemn ‘Missing Man’ formation on the final day of the event, honoring Syal and other fallen aviators. The US Air Force demonstration team, deeply affected by the tragedy, canceled their performance out of respect for the pilot and his family. The Russian Knights described the crash as ‘impossible to describe’ and dedicated their aerial display to the ‘brothers who did not return from their last flight.’ The ‘Missing Man’ formation, a traditional tribute in aviation, involves four aircraft flying in a ‘V’ formation, with one aircraft breaking away to symbolize the loss of a comrade. The Dubai Airshow, a grand event showcasing aviation excellence, concluded on a somber yet respectful note, highlighting the camaraderie and shared grief within the global aviation community.
‘In memory of brother’: Russia honours fallen Tejas pilot with missing man formation
