Polish F-16 Crashes During Airshow Rehearsal in Radom, Pilot Killed

A Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a rehearsal for the AirSHOW Radom 2025 in central Poland, resulting in the death of the pilot, the Polish military confirmed on Thursday. The tragic incident occurred around 5:30 PM GMT, when the aircraft, performing an aerobatic maneuver, crashed onto the runway in a ball of flames, damaging the airstrip.

The jet, based at the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznan, was preparing for the weekend airshow, located approximately 60 miles south of Warsaw. According to the General Command of the Armed Forces, no bystanders were injured, and rescue operations were promptly initiated at the scene. Videos circulating in Polish media captured the F-16 executing a barrel roll before the catastrophic crash.

Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who arrived at the site shortly after the incident, paid tribute to the fallen pilot, describing him as “an officer who always served his country with dedication and great courage.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also expressed his condolences, stating, “To the family and loved ones, I offer my deepest condolences from the bottom of my heart.”

Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka confirmed the tragedy on social media, noting the loss of the pilot and the defense minister’s presence at the crash site. Due to the accident and the damage to the runway, organizers have canceled the AirSHOW Radom 2025, which was set to take place this weekend.

Further details about the cause of the crash have not been released, and an investigation is expected to follow. The incident has cast a somber shadow over the Polish Air Force and the Radom community, as the nation mourns the loss of a dedicated serviceman.