An F-16 fighter jet belonging to the Polish Air Force’s Tiger Demo Team crashed at Radom Airport (RDO) on the evening of August 28, 2025, during preparations for the Radom Air Show.
The accident occurred at around 19:25 local time. Footage of the incident shows the aircraft entered a steep descent over the runway and failed to recover, striking the ground and bursting into flames.
Warning: The video below shows the moment of impact. Viewer discretion is advised, as the footage may be distressing.
Air show Radom pic.twitter.com/mcf6i3XX9T
— Mateusz_Tolak (@MTolk33) August 28, 2025
Emergency services launched a rescue operation immediately after the crash. Initial information suggested the pilot did not eject before impact. No injuries on the ground were reported. Rescuers remained at the site into the evening.
Pilot identified
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed that the pilot of the F-16 Tiger Demo aircraft died in the crash.
“In the F-16 aircraft crash, a Polish Army pilot was killed — an officer who always served the Fatherland with dedication and great courage,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said in a statement posted on X. “I pay tribute to his memory and extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. This is a great loss for the Air Force and the entire Polish Armed Forces.”
Polish military channels and national media later identified the pilot as Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian, leader of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team and an instructor at the 31st Tactical Air Base in Poznań-Krzesiny.
Radom Air Show canceled
Organizers cancelled the 2025 Radom Air Show following the accident. A notice states that refunds will be issued for purchased tickets.
The Radom Air Show, which was due to begin on August 30, 2025, is one of Central Europe’s largest aviation events and typically attracts tens of thousands of visitors. This year’s lineup includes the Polish F-16 Tiger Demo, the UK’s Red Arrows, Greece’s “Zeus” F-16 Demo Team, as well as Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale displays.
Poland’s F-16 Tiger Demo is the Air Force’s official F-16 display team, associated with the 31st Tactical Air Base at Poznań-Krzesiny, which operates F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft. Ahead of the air show, the team’s official page flagged a familiarization flight over Radom at 19:00.
The team’s most recent appearance was at the “Meeting International de la Somme – Hauts-de-France” at Albert–Picardie Airport (BYF) near Amiens, France, on August 23 to 24, 2025.
This is the first crash of an F-16 in Polish service since the type entered the Air Force in 2006. In Poland, military aviation accidents are investigated by the Commission for the Investigation of National Aviation Accidents (KBWLLP), which covers state and military aircraft.
In parallel, the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office has formally opened a criminal investigation into the crash; officials said proceedings are being conducted under provisions covering a catastrophe in air traffic resulting in death. Local outlets also report that investigators have secured the flight recorder
10 comments
Was this the same pilot who performed at RIAT 2025 ?
Swindon news said it was. Saw him at Riat
Yes, and he got an award.
From Air Tattoo website:
THE ‘AS THE CROW FLIES’ TROPHY: Presented for the best overall flying demonstration as judged by the Friends of the Royal International Air Tattoo (FRIAT), the show’s aviation enthusiast supporters club.
For an aggressive and powerful demonstration, the F-16C Fighting Falcon of the Polish Air Force ‘Tiger Demo Team’ flown by Major Maciej ‘SLAB’ Krakowian.
Camera guy said at the end “Am I dreaming”?
I am shocked and deeply saddened reading this news and watching the video of the crash. That pilot died in a most heroic way, and Poland lost their one of the finest.
It seems to me the plane’s controls stopped working in that barrel flight just when it faced ground. I imagine the pilot stayed in the plane to save it and control it. But it crashed in one second.
My condolences to his family.
That throttle was all the way up. Looked like it got stuck wide open. I think he was out of control from the start of that maneuver. Or, he was in complete control from beginning to end. That’s always a possibility too.
This is not, of course, a post based on facts from this crash, but this kind of crash is, sadly, typical to aerobatic teams- starting the role just slightly below the required altitude, and the physics work. It happened to the USAF Thunderbirds in an airshow, but the pilot managed to eject, to a Russian fighter in Le Bourget (don’t recall the type) and in too many other shows.
My heart and my feelings are with the pilot’s family. Undoubtedly, as the leader of the demo squadron he must have been one if the best.
RIP ,major Slab!Any loss of pilot’s life in avoidable accident I consider a loss of a friend!My condolences to his family and coleguages!
It seems if he had shut off the afterburner after coming over the top he might have been fine but the extra thrust was too much coming down like that.
I’ve never been a fighter jet pilot, but it looks like bright illumination from the tailpipe during the decent. Not sure he would have wanted nor needed that force going straight down. My sympathy to his family!