A pilot has been killed after his fighter jet crashed into the runway during practice for an airshow in Poland.
The F-16 crashed during preparations for the Radon Airshow in front of horrified people gathered to watch on Thursday.
Details are still emerging on what caused the crash during the Tiger Demo team’s practice at around 7.30pm local time.
The pilot was identified as flying ace Major Maciej ‘Slab’ Krakowian who had just won the ‘best overall flying demonstration’ at the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo, the world’s largest military airshow.
Witnesses said the fighter jet suddenly nose-dived into the runway too quickly for the pilot to eject.
The F-16 burst into flames as it hit the tarmac and a fireball skidded along the runway.
Deputy prime minister of Poland Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz paid tribute to the ‘courageous’ military pilot.
He said: ‘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.
