A Polish F-16 fighter jet crashed into the ground during training for the AirShow in Radom. The fatal victim is the pilot, who was unable to eject. According to initial reports, the victim is Major Maciej Krakowian “Slab,” regarded as one of Poland’s best F-16 pilots. In July, he received a prestigious British award for outstanding aircraft handling.
The death of the pilot was confirmed by Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak.
“A tragic evening for the Polish Air Force, the crash of an F-16 aircraft. I have just spoken with Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Minister of Defense, who is on his way to Radom. (…) The pilot did not survive,” said the minister-coordinator of special services on TVN24.
He added that this is the first crash of an F-16 in Poland.
“I have received the very sad news of the F-16 crash in which a Polish pilot was killed. I extend my deepest condolences to the Family. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,” wrote President Karol Nawrocki on X, formerly Twitter.
“In the crash of the F-16, a Polish Army pilot has died – an officer who always served his Homeland with dedication and great courage. I pay tribute to his memory,” wrote Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Eyewitnesses recorded videos of the crash, which are now being published online: