DefensePolish Air Force F-16C crashes during Radom Airshow rehearsal
A Polish Air Force F-16C Block 52+ crashed during a rehearsal for the Radom Airshow on August 28, resulting in the death of Major Maciej “SLAB” Krakowian, the demonstration team leader. The incident occurred at approximately 19:25 local time, leading to the immediate cancellation of the airshow scheduled for the following days.
According to military authorities, the F-16 was performing a maneuver as part of a scheduled demonstration when it descended and impacted the ground. A video circulating on social media captured the aircraft’s final moments before the accident.
Emergency services were dispatched promptly, and there were no injuries reported on the ground, as confirmed by the Polish Armed Forces’ General Command.
The jet involved belonged to the F-16 Tiger Demo Team, a unit within the 6th Fighter Squadron of the Polish Air Force. The crashed aircraft was a single-seat F-16C Block 52+ variant, a model in service with Poland since the mid-2000s and primarily used for both air defense and demonstration purposes. This event marks the first recorded loss of a Polish F-16 in an accident since the type entered national service.
https://twitter.com/TheTapeDK/status/1961147121622753499
Major Krakowian, who had been the Tiger Demo Team’s leader and primary demonstration pilot since 2023, was confirmed deceased by Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who also issued public condolences.
The airshow, which attracts aviation enthusiasts and professionals, was cancelled following the incident, impacting scheduled displays and associated events.
An official investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. The outcome may prompt further safety reviews for demonstration flights and operational protocols within the Polish Air Force’s F-16 fleet.
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