An F-16 fighter jet of the Polish Air Force crashed around 19:25 this Thursday during a rehearsal for the Radom Air Show, scheduled for August 30–31, 2025. The pilot, an officer of the Polish Army, did not survive.
The pilot who died in the F–16 Tiger Demo jet crash in Radom, Poland, was Major Maciej Krakowian, who is the commander of the Polish Air Force aerobatic team “Tigers” (Tiger Demo Team).
Officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, visited the crash site, while government spokesman Adam Szlapka confirmed the tragedy and extended condolences to the pilot’s family. Polish authorities have stated that investigations will be conducted to determine the cause, marking the first F-16 crash in the Polish Air Force’s history.
Footage of the accident has been circulated by local media outlets, including Gazeta Wyborcza and Twój Radom.
A Polish F-16 crashed during preps for the Radom Air Show (Sadków Airport, Poland). The show was scheduled for Aug 30 & 31.
Unfortunately, the pilot was unable to eject in time and is died in the crash. pic.twitter.com/E7rUV3OgXx
— Synthentral (Blair Scott) (@synthentral) August 28, 2025
A Polish F-16 crashed during preps for the Radom Air Show (Sadków Airport, Poland). The show was scheduled for Aug 30 & 31.
Unfortunately, the pilot was unable to eject in time and is died in the crash. pic.twitter.com/E7rUV3OgXx
— Synthentral (Blair Scott) (@synthentral) August 28, 2025
It’s just heartbreaking. Fly high, aviator. ??
A Polish F-16 crashed during rehearsals for the Radom Air Show. pic.twitter.com/AH6C1ozQi6
— Mohsin Ali (@Mohsin_o2) August 28, 2025