A Polish F‑16 fighter crashed during a training rehearsal over Radom, killing Major pilot Maciej Krakowian. Recordings of the impact have appeared online, prompting an investigation into the cause.
Tragedy at the Airport
On Thursday after 19:00, an F‑16 aircraft from the 31st Tactical Air Base in Poznań‑Krzesin crashed at Radom airport during rehearsals for an upcoming weekend Air Show. Major pilot Maciej Krakowian, a highly regarded officer of the Polish Armed Forces, was killed in the incident.
Footage Uploaded to the Internet
Videos depicting the exact moment when the aircraft struck the ground have circulated across social media. The footage shows the impact with stark clarity, raising questions about the circumstances that led to the crash.
Expert on Potential Cause of the Catastrophe
TVN24 interviewed Grzegorz Brychczyński of the Polish Association of Aviation Engineers and Technicians, who offered an analysis of the probable cause. “The pilot was likely attempting an advanced maneuver that required a subsequent dive-out. The aircraft executed a steep dive without maintaining sufficient altitude—probably less than 10–15 m—preventing the plane from fully recovering,” he said. He added that the high temperature on the day would have reduced air density, complicating the aircraft’s lift. “At that point, the engines must overcome gravity to transition from a dive to a level flight, and the loss of those few meters of altitude proved fatal.”
Source: Gazeta, – MON Press Office statement on the accident, – TVN24 interview with Grzegorz Brychczyński, Aviation Engineers and Technicians Association
