In Poland, a crash occurred during preparatory training flights for the Radom Air Show. A multi-role F-16 fighter from the 31st Tactical Air Base went down near the airport. Tragically, the pilot, Major Maciej SLAB Krakowian, was unable to eject and was killed on impact.
The aircraft was rehearsing a performance for the Tiger Demo Team. A short video circulating on social media shows the final moments before the crash: the jet descends at high speed during a maneuver and impacts the ground.
The fighter jet ignited immediately upon impact. “It is with regret that we report an F-16 from the 31st Tactical Air Base was involved in a crash during preparatory training for the Air Show Radom 2025. The pilot did not survive. No bystanders were injured,” the statement read.
The tragedy was officially reported on Twitter by the Polish Armed Forces’ General Command, confirming the crash during preparations for Air Show Radom 2025. The District Prosecutor’s Office in Warsaw also responded immediately. According to spokesperson Piotr Antoni Skiba, a team of three prosecutors was dispatched to the crash site, while military police personnel secured the area.
The government pledged to provide the necessary support to manage the aftermath of the crash. Poland’s Minister of National Defence, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, expressed condolences to the pilot’s family and loved ones, describing the loss as significant for the Air Force and the entire Polish military. He noted that the officer had always served his country with dedication and great courage.
Military analyst Mariusz Cielma told Debata Gozdyry that it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about the cause of the crash, though there could be multiple factors. “From the footage we’ve seen, it appears the pilot lacked sufficient altitude,” he said. “We also need to consider the possibility of an engine malfunction.”
He added that factors such as the aircraft’s maintenance, its technical condition, the pilot’s physical and mental state, and the information available to him about weather conditions are also important in the investigation.
The Radom Air Show was scheduled for August 30–31 in Radom, with organizers expecting over 150 aircraft from 20 countries and tens of thousands of visitors. However, the event was canceled following the tragedy.
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Source: polsatnews
