Poland has been plunged into mourning after a Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a rehearsal for an airshow in Radom, central Poland, with the authorities confirming the death of the pilot.
“I am at the scene of the tragedy. In the F-16 plane crash, a Polish Army pilot died – an officer who always served the Fatherland with dedication and great courage,” Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote on X.
“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,” Mr Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote.
The incident occurred Thursday evening during a training flight of the ‘Tiger Demo’ aerial display team.
The pilot was identified as experienced combat pilot, Major Maciej ‘Slab’ Krakowian.
The General Command of the Armed Forces confirmed that there were no injuries to any bystanders, adding that “rescue operations were immediately initiated at the scene”.
Footage of the accident circulating on social media shows the F-16 executing an aerial manoeuvre before colliding with the runway and bursting into flames.
As a result of the crash the airshow organisers made the decision to cancel this year’s event, which was due to take place at the weekend.
A similar incident occurred July 12 last year during rehearsals for an airshow in the northern Polish city of Gdynia.
On that occasion, an M-346 Master trainer aircraft crashed into the ground following an attempted loop manoeuvre, resulting in the death of Major Robert “Killer” Jeł.