F16 pilot killed in horror air show crash named as decorated squadron leader

A pilot who died when his F16 fighter jet nose-dived and crashed in a ball of flames during practice for a world famous air show has been named.

The horrific accident occurred at around 7.25pm local time today, involving a member of the Tiger Demo team in rehearsals for the Radom International Air Show this weekend in Poland.

Firefighters rushed to the scene at Radom Airport with the aircraft having not recovered after arrowing down to the runway and hitting the ground. The news comes just days after a Polish soldier on border duty was rushed to hospital after being 'attacked by aggressive migrants'.

Major Maciej "Slab" Krakowian was the well-known pilot who lost his life. He 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 Major Maciej "Slab" Krakowian, with the Military Recruitment Centre in Wrocaw 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!"

According to reports the F-16 was flying at maximum power with the afterburner lit and was manoeuvring to complete a move when it crashed into the runway. Videos didn't appear to show an ejection.

Poland's Tiger Demo Team

The team is famous around the world for its displays at airshows and today it posted on Instagram about looking forward to the event in Radom.

It stated: "Today we have triple reasons to celebrate! Polish Aviation Day - a day of pride, tradition, and passion that unites everyone who belongs to the sky.

"Premiere of the film 'Decade of the Tiger' - tonight at 20:00 on the YouTube channel [Polska Zbrojna]. Grab your popcorn and let's relive the Tiger's past decade of displays together.

"Radom AirShow is almost here - and today at 19:00 our Tiger will perform a familiarization flight over Radom. Have a great Thursday, August 28th!"

Flights to and from Radom Airport may be diverted tomorrow

According to the schedule on the Warsaw-Radom airport website, two arrivals were planned for Friday - from Rome and Preveza (Greece) - and one departure, to Preveza.

"Our operations centre is in contact with the services in Radom and as soon as they confirm information, we will keep our passengers informed," said LOT Polish Airlines spokesman Krzysztof Moczulski.

A military police investigation has been launched into the crash involving an F16 plane in rehearsals for an air show in Poland where the pilot died.

"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," read a statement from the prosecutor's office.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has offered his "deepest condolences" to the family of the pilot who died.

"In the F-16 plane crash, a Polish pilot was killed. Rest in peace! To the family and loved ones, I offer my deepest condolences from the bottom of my heart," he wrote on X.