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By OLIVIA ALLHUSEN, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
This haunting last picture shows a Polish pilot just minutes before his F-16 fighter jet crashed in a ball of flames.
Terrifying footage captured the plane spiraling out of control before slamming into the ground during an airshow rehearsal in Radom, central Poland, yesterday.
Horrified onlookers shouted and held their hands to their heads as the tragedy unfolded in front of them.
Major Maciej ‘Slab’ Krakowian was the well-known pilot who lost his life.
The Major posted a selfie in his flying gear on the F-16 Tiger Demo Team’s Facebook page just before the training session. The image was captioned: ‘See you over Radom’.
Major Krakowian was the leader of Tiger Demo Team, and recently awarded the prestigious ‘As the Crow Flies Trophy’ at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2025 in the UK.
Tributes have poured in for the pilot, with the Military Recruitment Centre in Wrocław saying: ‘In today’s F-16 Tiger Demo Team crash in Radom, pilot Maj.
‘Maciej ‘Slab’ Krakowian was killed. There are no words to express how enormous this tragedy is. Rest in Peace!’
Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz also paid tribute to the pilot, saying on X: ‘I am at the scene of the tragedy.
This haunting last picture shows a Polish pilot just minutes before his F-16 fighter jet crashed in a ball of flames
Major Maciej ‘Slab’ Krakowian was the well-known pilot who lost his life
Terrifying footage captured the plane twisting and turning before spiraling into the ground during an airshow rehearsal in Radom, central Poland, yesterday
The plane plummeted headfirst and then erupted into a terrifying bright orange fireball surrounded by black smoke
Horrified onlookers shouted and held their hands to their heads as the crash unfolded in front of them today during an airshow rehearsal in Radom, central Poland
‘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.’
Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki added: ‘I have received very sad news about the F-16 plane crash in which a Polish pilot died.
‘I extend my most sincere condolences to the Family. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.’
The horrific accident occurred at around 7.25pm local time on Thursday.
Video shows the plane twisting and turning as it spirals out of control before its tragic descent to the ground.
As it skids across the floor the plane explodes leaving a trail of thick black smoke in its wake.
Remains of the aircraft could be seen burning on the field as firefighters rushed to the scene.
The Polish military said no one on the ground was injured.
As it skids across the floor the plane explodes leaving a trail of thick black smoke in its wake
A military police investigation has been launched into the crash. Pictured: The plane erupts into a fireball as it hits the ground
Remains of the aircraft could be seen burning on the field as firefighters rushed to the scene
Rescue services, firefighters and soldiers work at the scene of the accident
The horrific accident occurred at around 7.25pm local time on Thursday
According to reports the F-16 was flying at maximum power with the afterburner lit and was maneuvering to complete a move when it crashed into the runway. Videos didn’t appear to show an ejection.
A military police investigation has been launched into the crash.
A statement made by the prosecutor’s office on Thursday read: ‘Preliminary procedural steps have already been taken by prosecutors from the 8th Military Department of the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office, who are en route to the scene.
‘Representatives of the Military Police are already on site.’
The AirSHOW Radom 2025 was scheduled to take place at Radom Airport over the weekend but has now been cancelled.
Radom lies just 62 miles south of Warsaw.
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