F-16 fighter jet crashes during airshow rehearsal in Poland, pilot killed

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

Local media reported that the aircraft went down on the runway around 7:30 pm local time. Authorities confirmed that no bystanders were harmed in the incident. The jet was based at the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.


Notably, the crash comes days after Poland signed a contract worth $3.8 billion to upgrade its fleet of F-16 fighter jets. The country has 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ aircraft which were delivered to the country between 2006 and 2008, state news agency PAP reported.

Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said on X, “In the F-16 plane crash, a Polish Army pilot died – an officer who always served the Fatherland with dedication and great courage. I pay tribute to His memory. To the family and loved ones, I offer my deepest condolences. This is a great loss for the Air Force and the entire Polish Army.”


Prime Minister Donald Tusk also expressed his condolences. “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 said in a post on X.

The Polish Army released a statement offering their condolences. However, the pilot’s identity has not been disclosed yet.

“With great sadness, we received the news of the tragic death of the F-16 pilot, an officer of the Polish Army. This is a great loss for Poland and the entire Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland. We extend our most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones. Honor to His memory.”