“Maciek was not only an excellent pilot. He had enormous potential. We saw in him a future air commander. We wanted him to develop his career not only in aviation, but also in the military. Today, all these dreams, our expectations, have been brutally cut short,” said Inspector of the Air Force DGRSZ (General Command of the Armed Forces) Maj. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak.
Maj. Maciej “Slab” Krakowian was tragically killed on Thursday evening at the airport in Radom during rehearsals for the Air Show 2025. The F-16 he was piloting struck the runway while performing a loop. He was one of the best and most experienced Polish fighter pilots. For many years, he had been the leader of the Polish Air Force demonstration team – Tiger Demo Team. He leaves behind a wife and two sons.
Inspector of the Air Force DGRSZ Maj. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak emphasized in a media statement that being a fighter pilot is the fulfillment of a dream and a realization of one’s passion.
“But, as life has brutally shown us today, for this passion some of us sometimes have to pay the ultimate price,” he said.
The Inspector of the Air Force DGRSZ stressed that the profession of a fighter pilot is one of elevated risk, and anyone who chooses it must accept that risk. “We are only human, and we make mistakes, we have weaker moments,” he stated.
Gen. Nowak emphasized that the tragic event that occurred during Thursday’s exercises is a trauma for the entire, small community of F-16 pilots.
“Maciek was not only an excellent pilot. He had enormous potential. We saw in him a future air commander. We wanted him to develop his career not only in aviation, but also in the military. Today, all these dreams, our expectations, have been brutally cut short,” said the Inspector of the Air Force DGRSZ.
Gen. Nowak joined in the condolences expressed by the head of the Ministry of National Defence (MON). – “We will do everything to support the family. To ease their suffering in this difficult time,” he declared.
Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian was one of the most decorated Polish F-16 pilots, leader of the Tiger Demo Team. He was associated with the 31st Tactical Air Base in Poznań-Krzesiny. As an instructor and leader of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team Poland, he represented the Polish Air Force at prestigious air shows both in Poland and abroad.