Polish F-16 Tiger Demo Jet Crashes at Radom Rehearsal; Pilot Killed, Air Show Cancelled

Radom, Poland (29 August 2025) — A tragic accident struck the Polish Air Force’s Tiger Demo Team on the evening of 28 August, when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during preparations for the upcoming Radom Air Show.

The incident occurred around 19:25 local time as the aircraft entered a steep descent during a display maneuver over Radom Airport. The jet failed to recover, slammed into the ground, and burst into flames. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the pilot did not eject and was later confirmed killed in the crash.

The fallen aviator was identified as Major Maciej “SLAB” Krakowian, a highly respected and decorated pilot of the Polish Air Force. He had amassed over 1,000 flight hours on the F-16, trained in the United States, and recently earned international acclaim by winning the “As the Crow Flies” Trophy at the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo in the UK.

Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz paid tribute at the crash site, praising the officer’s courage, dedication, and service to the nation. Authorities confirmed that no spectators or bystanders were harmed in the incident.

The accident has cast a heavy shadow over the Radom Air Show, one of Central Europe’s largest aviation events, which was scheduled for 30–31 August and expected to feature world-class teams including the UK’s Red Arrows, Greece’s Zeus F-16 Demo, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and France’s Dassault Rafale. In the wake of the tragedy, the event has been cancelled.

Witnesses described the jet performing a demanding aerobatic maneuver before suddenly nosediving, hitting the ground, and creating a massive fireball and thick black smoke over the runway. The impact also caused visible runway damage.

The Tiger Demo Team, based at the 31st Tactical Air Base in Poznań-Krzesiny, is Poland’s official F-16 demonstration unit and a flagship of the Air Force at international events. Major Krakowian, as team leader, represented the pinnacle of Polish aerial skill and was widely admired within NATO circles.

International condolences poured in from allied nations. Italy’s Defence General Staff expressed “profound sorrow,” while Latvia’s Defence Minister said he was “deeply saddened” after meeting Polish troops earlier the same day.

The crash highlights both the inherent risks of aerobatic flying and the sacrifices made by military aviators in representing their nations on the global stage.