A Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during rehearsals for the Radom Airshow in central Poland, killing its pilot, military officials confirmed on Thursday.
Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who visited the crash site, paid tribute to the fallen officer. “A Polish Army pilot died in the crash of an F-16 aircraft — an officer who always served his country with dedication and great courage. I pay tribute to his memory,” he wrote on X.
According to the General Command of the Armed Forces, the jet belonged to the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań. No civilians were injured. “Rescue operations were immediately initiated at the scene,” the command said in a statement.
Footage obtained by Polish media appeared to show the F-16 attempting a barrel roll before losing control and crashing in flames along the runway. The crash, which occurred around 17:30 GMT, caused significant runway damage.
In response, organisers cancelled the Radom Airshow, which had been scheduled for the weekend and was expected to attract thousands of spectators.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over one of Poland’s most prominent aviation events as authorities launch an investigation into the cause of the fatal accident.
