A Polish Air Force F-16 pilot died Thursday when his fighter jet crashed during preparations for an international airshow in central Poland, military officials said.
The crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. local time at Radom airport during rehearsals for the AirSHOW Radom 2025, which was scheduled for this weekend. Videos published and circulated on social media showed the aircraft performing an acrobatic maneuver before crashing onto the runway in flames.
Polish Air Force F-16 crashes during a rehearsal for an airshow in Radom, central Poland. The pilot was killed in the accident, a government spokesman said.
Polish media said the aircraft crashed into the runway around 1730 GMT and damaged it. The Radom Airshow planned for the… pic.twitter.com/EkZLnfTPPz
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) August 28, 2025
Additional footage of the Polish Air Force F-16 demonstrator crash this evening in Radom. pic.twitter.com/VORLlCrHiR
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 28, 2025
“In the F-16 plane crash, a Polish Army pilot died – an officer who always served the Fatherland with dedication and great courage. I pay tribute to His memory. To the family and loved ones, I offer my deepest condolences.” Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote on X after arriving at the crash scene.
The pilot was identified as Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian, commander of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team and an instructor at the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznan. The aircraft belonged to the elite demonstration unit based at the facility in western Poland.
It is with deep sorrow that we share the tragic news that Major Maciej “SLAB” Krakowian, pilot of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team, lost his life this afternoon during rehearsal for the Radom Airshow.
🕊️ Blue skies and eternal tailwinds, SLAB. You will never be forgotten. 🐅🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/xnQ9pmWp5y
— European Airshows (@EuroAirshow) August 28, 2025
The General Command of the Armed Forces said no bystanders were injured in the accident. Emergency crews responded quickly after the aircraft failed to recover from its maneuver and struck the ground.
Eyewitnesses reported the jet was performing a barrel roll when it suddenly descended and burst into flames upon impact. Local reports indicated the pilot was not seen ejecting from the aircraft before the crash.
The scheduled airshow has been cancelled following the accident. The biennial event, held since 2001, is Poland’s premier aviation showcase featuring Polish Air Force demonstrations alongside NATO partners.
This marks the first loss of a Polish F-16 since the aircraft entered service in 2006, ending the air force’s perfect safety record with the type. Poland acquired 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft under the Peace Sky program between 2006 and 2008.
The Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office opened a formal investigation, classifying the incident as an air traffic catastrophe. The Commission for the Investigation of National Aviation Accidents is leading a technical inquiry.
