US Pilot Withdraws from Dubai Airshow in Honour of Fallen IAF Wing Commander Namansh Syal

A US Air Force pilot has withdrawn from the Dubai Airshow following the tragic crash of an Indian Air Force Tejas jet, choosing to cancel his performance as a mark of respect for the fallen IAF pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal.

The Dubai Airshow faced emotional waves of grief and controversy after the fatal crash of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Namansh Syal. In response, US Air Force pilot Major Taylor “Fema” Hiester chose to cancel his final performance, stating that continuing the display felt profoundly disrespectful to the late pilot and his grieving family.

Major Hiester, commander of the USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, expressed shock that the airshow continued despite the tragedy. In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, he announced that his team—and several others—declined to perform “out of respect to the IAF pilot, his colleagues and family.” He recounted walking through the show grounds moments later, expecting the event to pause, but instead finding the programme proceeding as usual.

Wing Commander Namansh Syal lost his life during a dramatic aerial manoeuvre in the indigenous Tejas fighter jet at Al Maktoum International Airport. The aircraft, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is India’s advanced multi-role Light Combat Aircraft. The incident deeply shook the global aviation community.

Hiester described the atmosphere as jarring and unsettling, noting that the announcer maintained an upbeat tone and spectators continued applauding subsequent performances. “It was uncomfortable for me to imagine my team walking out without me to a rock and roll track,” he wrote, insisting that respect should outweigh the mantra of “the show must go on.”

Wing Commander Syal’s mortal remains were transported to the Sulur Air Force Base in Tamil Nadu with full military honours, before being taken to his native Patiyalkar village in Himachal Pradesh. At the cremation ceremony in Kangra, his wife, Wing Commander Afshan, stood in heartbreaking silence beside their six-year-old daughter, saluting her husband one final time. Syal was cremated with full military honours, including a ceremonial gun salute, as his cousin Nishant performed the last rites.