Polish Air Force F-16 Crashes, Kills Pilot Major Maciej Krakowian; Radom Air Show Cancelled

A Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight on August 28, killing pilot Major Maciej 'Slab' Krakowian. The accident occurred near central Poland and was the first involving an F-16 in the country's aviation history. Krakowian was an experienced combat pilot with over 1,000 F-16 flying hours and had previously received the 'As the Crow Flies' Trophy for the best overall flying demonstration. The Radom International Air Show, scheduled for August 30-31, has been canceled.

On August 28, 2025, a Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight near central Poland, resulting in the death of Major Maciej 'Slab' Krakowian. This incident, the first involving an F-16 in the country's aviation history, occurred during rehearsals for the Radom International Air Show, which has since been canceled.

Major Krakowian, an experienced combat pilot with over 1,000 hours of flight time in the F-16, was a distinguished flying ace and leader of the Polish Air Force's display team. Just earlier this month, he was awarded the prestigious 'As the Crow Flies' Trophy for the best overall flying demonstration at the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo, the world's largest military airshow.

The accident happened around 7:30 p.m. local time, when the jet went down on the runway during rehearsals for the AirSHOW Radom 2025. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown, but authorities have launched an official investigation into the matter. The rescue operation was led by the airport fire brigade and supported by units under the Ministry of the Interior and Administration.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz visited the crash site after consultations with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Major General Adam Rzeczkowski. In a statement, Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed his condolences, stating, "In the F-16 plane crash, a Polish Army pilot died – an officer who always served the Fatherland with dedication and great courage. I pay tribute to his memory. To the family and loved ones, I offer my deepest condolences. This is a great loss for the Air Force and the entire Polish Army."

The aircraft involved in the crash was from the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań. Reuters reported that no civilians or bystanders were injured. The crash occurred on the runway and damaged it, leading to the cancellation of the Radom Airshow, originally scheduled for the weekend.

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is currently the most numerous combat aircraft in NATO. The F-16 has evolved into a highly capable multi-role combat aircraft and is still in production. Over 4,500 F-16s have been produced over the past 50 years, with 3,000 still in service with 25 nations around the world. Poland has recently signed a contract to upgrade its F-16 fighter jets to F-16V Block 72, with deliveries expected between 2030 and 2038.

References:
[1] https://www.news18.com/world/f-16-fighter-jet-crashes-in-poland-during-air-show-rehearsal-pilot-killed-ws-l-9535171.html
[2] https://theaviationgeekclub.com/pilot-killed-after-polish-f-16-tiger-demo-crashes-during-radom-airshow-rehearsal/