RADOM, POLAND – During a practice for an airshow in Radom, central Poland, on Thursday, a Polish Air Force F-16 fighter plane crashed, killing the pilot. The Polish Army acknowledged the sad news, saying it was a “great loss” for the country’s military.
Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s defense minister, claimed that the pilot had died and that he had gotten to the crash site. He wrote on X, “In the F-16 plane crash, a Polish Army pilot died. He was an officer who always served the Fatherland with dedication and bravery.” I remember him with respect. “I send my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones.”
Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister, also sent his condolences on X, saying, “A Polish pilot died in the F-16 plane crash.” Peace be with you! From the bottom of my heart, I send my heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends.
The Polish Armed Forces’ General Command has since named the pilot as Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian, a well-known “flying ace” and head of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team. Major Krakowian was a very accomplished combat pilot who had flown the F-16 for more than 1,000 hours and had received prizes for his aerial performances at international airshows.
Videos that went viral on social media showed the jet doing an aerobatic move before it crashed onto the runway and caught fire. The General Command said that no one who wasn’t involved in the collision was hurt.
The 31st Tactical Air Base in Poznań owned the F-16 that crashed. The first F-16 crash in Polish aviation history has led to an investigation to find out what happened.
The AirSHOW Radom 2025, which was supposed to happen this weekend, has been called off because of the tragedy.