A Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a rehearsal for an airshow in Radom, central Poland, killing the pilot. The aircraft struck the runway around 1730 GMT, causing damage to the site. A government spokesman confirmed the pilot’s death but provided no further details. The Radom Airshow, scheduled for the weekend, has been canceled.

Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz expressed condolences, calling the deceased pilot a dedicated officer who served the nation with courage. He emphasized the loss to the Air Force and Polish Army. The General Command of the Armed Forces stated the accident involved an aircraft from the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznan, with no bystander injuries reported. Rescue operations were immediately launched at the scene.

Footage captured the F-16 performing a barrel roll before crashing in flames, sliding on the ground. Locals and aviation enthusiasts had gathered ahead of the event, which was set for August 30–31. The plane executed a high-speed maneuver before losing control, plunging nose-first into the ground and exploding in a fireball. Despite emergency response efforts, the pilot could not eject and died instantly.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the crash. The AirSHOW Radom 2025 has been canceled. Poland acquired F-16s in 2003 as part of NATO’s defense strategy, with ongoing upgrades following increased defense spending after Russia’s 2023 invasion of Ukraine.