Polish F-16 Crash: Pilot Dies – Videos Included
- A Polish air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during rehearsals for the Radom Air Show on Thursday, August 28, 2025, resulting in the immediate death of the pilot.
- The pilot, identified as Major Maciej "SLAB" Krakowian, was a highly experienced aerobatic pilot and the lead performer for the elite Tiger demo Team.
- The Radom Air show, one of Europe's largest aviation events, has been promptly cancelled following the tragedy.
Polish Air Force F-16 Crashes During Radom Air Show Rehearsal, Pilot Killed
A Polish air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during rehearsals for the Radom Air Show on Thursday, August 28, 2025, resulting in the immediate death of the pilot. The incident occurred at Radom Air Base, approximately 100 km south of Warsaw, at 7:25 pm local time (5:25 pm GMT).
The pilot, identified as Major Maciej “SLAB” Krakowian, was a highly experienced aerobatic pilot and the lead performer for the elite Tiger demo Team. He was practicing a high-speed barrel roll maneuver when the aircraft descended sharply,engaging full afterburner before impacting the runway. Witnesses reported seeing a fireball and thick smoke as the jet slid along the runway; there was no indication of an attempted ejection.
crash Details and Witness Accounts
Multiple videos captured by spectators from various angles documented the crash.The footage shows the F-16 failing to complete the barrel roll maneuver and striking the runway with notable force. Emergency crews responded swiftly, but Major Krakowian was pronounced dead at the scene.
🇵🇱 BREAKING: A Polish F-16 has crashed during practice for the Radom Air Show in Poland. Judging by videos posted on social media,the pilot did not eject. pic.twitter.com/TR0d4pYyyq
🚨#BREAKING Watch horrifying footage as a F-16 fighter jet crashes bursting in flames training for a upcoming Air Show 🔌#Sadków | #PolandWatch Horrifying footage has emerged showing the tragic crash of a Polish F-16 Tiger Demo jet during rehearsals for the Radom Air Show… pic.twitter.com/mdT3aY6Tjx
🇵🇱 BREAKING: F-16 Crashes, Pilot Killed InstantlyA tragic accident occurred in Radom, Poland, when a F-16 fighter jet crashed during preparations for an air show. The pilot, performing a loop, miscalculated the altitude, causing the jet to slam into the tarmac and erupt in a…
Official Response and Inquiry
Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed his condolences to the pilot’s family, calling the incident “a great loss for the Air Force and the entire Polish Army.” Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed this sentiment, describing the pilot’s death as a “tragedy that fills us with grief.”
The Polish Armed forces confirmed that the F-16 involved belonged to the 31st Tactical Air Base at krzesiny, near Poznań. Officials stated that no one on the ground was injured. A formal investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident.
| Aircraft | Pilot | Location | Date | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-16 Fighting Falcon | Major Maciej “SLAB” Krakowian | Radom Air Base, Poland | August 28, 2025 | Pilot fatality, airshow cancelled |