Radom Airshow crash: F16 pilot killed in horror nosedive crash pictured

WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT The F16 fighter jet plummeted from the skies to the ground before bursting into flames, killing the pilot onboard

The pilot who tragically died after the F16 fighter jet he was flying crashed during rehearsals for a world-renowned airshow has been named and pictured.

The devastating incident unfolded at approximately 7.25pm local time yestereday, involving a pilot from the Tiger Demo team. Emergency crews raced to the scene in Radom, Poland, after the aircraft failed to pull out of its steep descent towards the tarmac and smashed into the ground.

An eyewitness described watching the Tiger Demo team’s F-16 diving sharply above the runway, unable to recover from the manoeuvre, before slamming into the earth. The aircraft instantly erupted in flames as fire crews rushed to tackle the blaze.

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Tributes have poured in for Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian who was flying the F16 fighter jet.

The Military Recruitment Centre in Wrocław said: “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!”

Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian was one of the most decorated Polish fighter pilots who died in the crash today. The Territorial Defence Forces said: “In a tragic accident in Radom, pilot Maj. Maciej “Slab” Krakowian died. We share in the pain of his family, loved ones, and members of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team Poland.”

Agnieszka Korajczyk-Szyperska, the mayor of Gostynin, the pilot’s home town, said: “Pilot Maciej Krakowian, a native of Gostynin, died in an F-16 crash. Honour his memory! I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

A spokesperson for RAF Cosford Air Show wrote on X: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news that Major Maciej “SLAB” Krakowian, pilot of the Polish F-16 Tiger Demo Team, lost his life this afternoon during a rehearsal for the Radom Airshow. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues.”

This year’s International Air Show Radom is scheduled for this weekend, August 30-31, at Radom airport, with all 90,000 tickets completely sold out.

Flights to and from Radom Airport may be diverted tomorrow following the fatal crash involving an F16 fighter jet. A final decision will be made tomorrow on the day, as to whether planes are to be allowed to depart or land in Radom – or be diverted to Warsaw. But with the runway badly damaged it may well be that the airport will not be ready to be used.