F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes In Poland During Air Show Rehearsal, Pilot Killed

Last Updated:August 29, 2025, 02:39 IST

The rescue operation was led by the airport fire brigade and supported by units under the Ministry of the Interior and Administration.

The tragedy occurred during rehearsals for the AirSHOW Radom 2025 (Pexels/Representative Image)

A fatal accident occurred in Poland on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet belonging to the Polish Air Force crashed during a rehearsal for an upcoming air show. The crash claimed the life of the pilot, who was unable to eject in time.

According to local Polish media, the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. local time, when the jet went down on the runway. While the exact cause of the crash remains unknown, authorities have launched an official investigation into the matter.

In a statement released by the General Command of the Polish Armed Forces, the pilot was identified as Major Maciej ‘Slab’ Krakowian, a distinguished flying ace and leader of the Polish Air Force’s display team. Just earlier this month, Krakowian was awarded the prestigious ‘As the Crow Flies’ Trophy by aviation enthusiasts for the “best overall flying demonstration" at the 2025 Royal Air Tattoo, the world’s largest military airshow.

Krakowian was a seasoned combat pilot with more than 1,000 hours of flight time in the F-16. He also served as an instructor at the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz visited the crash site after consultations with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Major General Adam Rzeczkowski. Confirming the death of the pilot, Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed his condolences in a statement on X,

“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. This is a great loss for the Air Force and the entire Polish Army."

The rescue operation was led by the airport fire brigade and supported by units under the Ministry of the Interior and Administration.

According to the Polish Armed Forces, the aircraft involved in the crash was from the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań. Reuters reported that no civilians or bystanders were injured.

The tragedy occurred during rehearsals for the AirSHOW Radom 2025, originally scheduled for the weekend. Following the crash, the event has reportedly been cancelled.

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