'Shocking decision to continue': US pilot quits Dubai Air Show after fatal Tejas crash

Captain Taylor “Fema” Hiester, part of the US F-16 demo team, said his unit immediately pulled out of their routine to honour the fallen Indian pilot, calling the organisers’ decision to proceed “shocking” and deeply “uncomfortable.”

In a detailed Instagram post, Hiester wrote that in two years of performing, his team had never experienced anything like this—and it happened right before what was supposed to be their final show of the season.

He explained that the moment they learned of the crash, they cancelled their participation and left the venue to pay their respects to Wing Commander Syal.

“Even though the organisers went ahead with the flying schedule, our team—and a few others—chose to step back out of respect for the pilot, his colleagues, and his family,” he wrote.

Hiester described watching the aftermath quietly from a distance: the maintenance crew standing beside an empty slot on the ramp, a ladder left lying on the ground, and the pilot’s belongings still inside his rental car.

He said he expected the entire air show to pause after such a fatal accident. Instead, the announcer continued speaking with enthusiasm, and the crowd carried on watching the next performers as if nothing had happened.

According to him, the announcer wrapped up the event by congratulating sponsors and performers and cheerfully saying, “See you in 2027.”

Hiester added that the situation felt unsettling, partly because he imagined what it would be like for his own team to walk away from a crash site without him while music continued to play and another display took off.

Reflecting on the moment before what would have been their season’s final performance, he said he realised that his team—the people who had become like family—mattered more than any glamour attached to the job.

“No matter the perks, fancy dinners or VIP treatment, my team was all I ever truly had,” he wrote, adding that this is a lesson he will carry long after his demonstration flying career ends.

He emphasised that the relationships one builds—the people who care about you, whether related by blood or not—are what remain meaningful beyond one’s lifetime.

And once the smoke from a tragedy fades, he wrote, the company you work for, the money you stressed over, and the strangers you tried to impress will still move on to the next act without pause.

He ended his message with a pointed reminder: “They always say the show must go on. And they’re right. But remember—someone will say the same thing after you’re gone too. Thanks.”

Crash after Negative-G manoeuvre

Wing Commander Namansh Syal, 34, lost his life after being unable to recover from a negative-G manoeuvre at low altitude during the demonstration on Friday.

The Indian Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry to determine the cause of the crash.

In a statement, the IAF described him as a dedicated fighter pilot and a consummate professional, respected for his commitment, skill, and sense of duty.

His dignified character, they said, was evident at his send-off, attended by UAE officials, colleagues, friends, and personnel from the Indian Embassy.

'Isolated occurrence'

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said on Monday that the LCA Tejas crash at the Dubai Air Show was an “isolated occurrence.”

The defence PSU, headquartered in Bengaluru and responsible for manufacturing the Tejas, stated that the mishap occurred under exceptional circumstances during the aerial display and should not be seen as indicative of any broader issue.

HAL added that its business activities, financial health, and upcoming delivery schedules remain unaffected.

The company said it is fully cooperating with the authorities investigating the crash and will update stakeholders if any significant developments arise.