On Thursday, August 28, 2025, during a training flight in preparation for the 18th International Air Show Radom 2025, a Polish F-16 Jastrząb multirole fighter from the F-16 Tiger Demo Team Poland crashed. The tragedy occurred on a significant day – the Polish Air Force Day.
Photo: F-16 Tiger Demo Team Poland
According to eyewitness reports, the crash occurred around 7:25 p.m. Videos circulating on social media show the pilot performing a barrel roll and attempting to pull the aircraft out of a dive, but it crashed onto the runway. There was no sign that the pilot had ejected.
Government spokesman Adam Szłapka confirmed the pilot’s death:
“A tragedy in Radom, during preparations for the Air Show, an F-16 crashed. Unfortunately, the pilot was killed. Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is on his way to the crash site. He is in constant contact with Prime Minister [Donald Tusk].”
Tragedia w Radomiu, w trakcie przygotowań do AirShow rozbił się samolot F-16. Niestety pilot zginął. Premier @KosiniakKamysz jest w drodze na miejsce wypadku. Są w stałym kontakcie z Premierem.
— Adam Szłapka (@adamSzlapka) August 28, 2025
The General Command of the Polish Armed Forces issued a press release:
“We regret to inform you that during a training flight in preparation for the Air Show Radom 2025, an F-16 from the 31st Tactical Air Base was involved in an air accident. The pilot did not survive. No bystanders were injured.”
“Rescue operations were immediately undertaken at the site.”
KOMUNIKAT PRASOWY
Dowództwa Generalnego Rodzajów Sił ZbrojnychZ przykrością informujemy, że w trakcie treningu przygotowawczego do pokazów AirShow Radom 2025 doszło do wypadku lotniczego z udziałem samolotu F‑16 z 31 Bazy Lotnictwa Taktycznego. Pilot nie przeżył. Osoby… pic.twitter.com/n6kxeHR8XN
— Dowództwo Generalne (@DGeneralneRSZ) August 28, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz:
“I am at the site of the tragedy. In the crash of the F-16, a pilot of the Polish Armed Forces – an officer who always served the Homeland with dedication and great courage – has died.”
“I pay tribute to his memory. To his family and loved ones, I extend my deepest condolences.”
“This is a great loss for the Air Force and for the entire Polish Armed Forces.”
Jestem na miejscu tragedii. W katastrofie samolotu F-16 zginął pilot Wojska Polskiego – oficer, który zawsze służył Ojczyźnie z oddaniem i wielką odwagą.
Składam hołd Jego pamięci.
Rodzinie i bliskim składam najgłębsze wyrazy współczucia.To wielka strata dla Sił Powietrznych i…
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz (@KosiniakKamysz) August 28, 2025
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki:
“I have received the very sad news of the F-16 crash in which a Polish pilot was killed. I extend my deepest condolences to his loved ones. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
Dotarła do mnie bardzo smutna wiadomość o katastrofie samolotu F-16, w której zginął polski pilot.
Składam najszczersze wyrazy współczucia Najbliższym.
Wieczny odpoczynek racz Mu dać, Panie.— Karol Nawrocki (@NawrockiKn) August 28, 2025
Prime Minister Donald Tusk:
“A Polish pilot has died in the F-16 crash. We honor his memory! To his family and loved ones, I extend my deepest and most heartfelt condolences.”
W katastrofie samolotu F-16 zginął polski pilot. Cześć Jego pamięci! Rodzinie i bliskim składam z całego serca najgłębsze wyrazy współczucia.
— Donald Tusk (@donaldtusk) August 28, 2025
Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office:
“In connection with the military aircraft crash at the Radom airfield that occurred this evening, preliminary procedural actions have already been undertaken by prosecutors from the 8th Military Affairs Division of the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office, who are on their way to the scene. Representatives of the Military Police are already on site. Further information will be provided tomorrow afternoon at a press conference in Radom.”
W związku z katastrofą samolotu wojskowego na lotnisku w Radomiu, do której doszło dziś w godzinach wieczornych podjęte zostały już wstępne czynności procesowe przez prokuratorów 8 Wydziału do Spraw Wojskowych Prokuratury Okręgowej w Warszawie, którzy są w drodze na miejsce…
— Prokuratura Okręgowa w Warszawie (@Prok_Okreg_Wawa) August 28, 2025
Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland Szymon Hołownia:
“After the tragedy at the Radom airfield, there are no words to express the pain, the shock, the outcry of protest. A wonderful, highly trained, decorated pilot, instructor, head of training…”
“To the loved ones, especially to the wife and sons of our fallen comrade, I extend my deepest, most heartfelt condolences. You will surely hear this from every aviation family, but also from the Polish state: you will not be left alone now.”
“Ula and I still cannot believe it…”
Po tragedii na radomskim lotnisku nie ma słów, żeby wyrazić ból, szok, wykrzyczeć niezgodę. Wspaniały, świetnie wykształcony, nagradzany pilot, instruktor, szef szkolenia…
Najbliższym, a zwłaszcza żonie i synom poległego Kolegi, składam najszczersze, z głębi serca płynące…
— Szymon Hołownia (@szymon_holownia) August 28, 2025
Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Marcin Kierwiński:
“A great tragedy in Radom. An F-16 pilot has died. My deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the tragically deceased pilot. We honor his memory!”
Wielka tragedia w Radomiu. Zginął pilot samolotu F-16. Najgłębsze wyrazy współczucia rodzinie i bliskim tragicznie zmarłego pilota. Cześć Jego pamięci!
— Marcin Kierwiński (@MKierwinski) August 28, 2025
Territorial Defense Forces:
“In the tragic accident in Radom, pilot Maj. Maciej ‘Slab’ Krakowian has died. We share in the grief with his family, loved ones, and members of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team Poland.”
⚫️ W tragicznym wypadku w Radomiu zginął pilot mjr Maciej "Slab" Krakowian. Łączymy się w bólu z rodziną, bliskimi i członkami grupy F-16 Tiger Demo Team Poland.
— Terytorialsi | Zawsze Gotowi, Zawsze Blisko! (@terytorialsi) August 28, 2025
Deputy Minister of National Defense Cezary Tomczyk:
“A Polish pilot has died in the F-16 crash. This is a great tragedy and a painful loss for his loved ones and for the entire military community. To his family and closest ones, I extend my sincerest condolences. We honor his memory!”
W katastrofie samolotu F-16 zginął polski pilot. To ogromna tragedia i bolesna strata dla jego bliskich oraz całej wspólnoty wojskowej. Rodzinie i najbliższym składam najszczersze wyrazy współczucia. Cześć Jego pamięci!
— Cezary Tomczyk (@CTomczyk) August 28, 2025
Armed Forces Operational Command:
“With deep sorrow we received the news of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team crash, in which Major Maciej ‘Slab’ Krakowian tragically lost his life. The Polish Air Force Day—a day of pride and remembrance—has today become a moment of unimaginable grief and emptiness.”
“The history of Polish wings is one of generational continuity: from Żwirko and Wigura’s victory in 1932, through the defenders of the skies in 1939 and the pilots of the Battle of Britain, to those who in peacetime built a modern Air Force. Major Krakowian was the heir to this tradition, combining craftsmanship of the highest order with the ethos of service. His displays captivated thousands, and his recent As the Crow Flies award at RIAT 2025 was only one of the visible signs of recognition he earned both at home and within the international aviation community.”
“This is an irreparable loss for the entire aviation family. Though words cannot capture the weight of this blow, we wish to express our deepest solidarity in mourning.”
“Farewell, Master. Your flights will remain in our memory as a symbol of excellence, passion, and dedication—the same qualities that for decades have defined the standard of Polish aviation.”
“To Major Krakowian’s family, friends, and comrades, we extend our sincerest condolences. May his memory live on, and may his courage and professionalism inspire future generations of aviators of the Republic.”
Z głębokim smutkiem przyjęliśmy wiadomość o katastrofie samolotu F-16 zespołu Tiger Demo Team, w której tragicznie zginął major Maciej „Slab” Krakowian. Święto Lotnictwa Polskiego – dzień dumy i pamięci – stało się dziś chwilą niewyobrażalnego żalu i pustki.
Historia polskich… pic.twitter.com/KzUviIs7bE
— Dowództwo Operacyjne RSZ (@DowOperSZ) August 28, 2025
National Security Bureau:
“Through the Commander of the 31st Tactical Air Base, Col. Radosław Śniegóła, President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki and Head of the National Security Bureau Prof. Sławomir Cenckiewicz conveyed their deepest condolences to the family of the Polish Armed Forces pilot, Maj. Maciej Krakowian, who tragically passed away.”
Za pośrednictwem Dowódcy 31 Bazy Lotnictwa Taktycznego płk. Radosława Śniegóły Prezydent RP @NawrockiKn i Szef BBN prof. @Cenckiewicz przekazali rodzinie tragicznie zmarłego pilota WP mjr. Macieja Krakowiana wyrazy najgłębszego współczucia.
— BBN (@BBN_PL) August 28, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that the 18th International Air Show Radom 2025 has been canceled.
Major Pilot Maciej “SLaB” Krakowian served at the 31st Tactical Air Base in Poznań-Krzesiny, part of the 2nd Tactical Air Wing.
Since 2016, he had been a member of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team, where he served as narrator and Safety Observer, responsible for safety and supporting the pilot performing the display. In May 2023, he became the team leader. Over his 17-year career, he flew DA-20, PZL-130 Orlik TCII, T-6, T-38, and F-16 aircraft, logging over 1,200 hours on the F-16 alone. He is survived by his wife and twin sons.
Photo: Marcin Kurkus, 31. BLT
The editorial team of MILMAG Military Magazine wishes to extend its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.
In his memory