Polish Air Force F-16 Crashes During Airshow Rehearsal, Pilot Killed

A Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a rehearsal for an airshow in Radom, central Poland, killing the pilot, the army confirmed on Thursday.

Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, who visited the crash site, paid tribute to the 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.

The General Command of the Armed Forces said the aircraft belonged to the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań. No bystanders were injured in the incident. “Rescue operations were immediately initiated at the scene,” the command stated.

Footage obtained by Polish media appeared to show the F-16 attempting a barrel roll manoeuvre before losing control and crashing in flames along the runway.

Local outlets reported that the crash occurred at around 17:30 GMT, damaging the runway. As a result, organisers cancelled the Radom Airshow, which had been scheduled for the weekend and was expected to draw thousands of spectators.

The incident has cast a shadow over one of Poland’s most prominent aviation events, as authorities investigate the circumstances of the fatal crash.

Melissa Enoch

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