After the fatal F‑16 crash during an air‑show rehearsal in Radom, General Wiesław Kukuła called for stricter safety protocols and honored Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian as Poland’s finest pilot.
General Kukuła’s remarks on the crash
Following the F‑16 accident that occurred during a rehearsal for an airshow in Radom, General Wiesław Kukuła shared his views on flight demonstrations on the social‑media platform X. He stressed that safety rules must be strengthened, forbidding dangerous maneuvers and asserting that only non‑combat pilots should participate in such displays.
Safety measures and pilot roles
General Kukuła noted that every flight carries risk and that the event of last year’s crash prompted a review of show‑pilot participation. He added that “no one currently knows the exact cause of the accident,” urging investigators to focus on identifying the root cause and for no flight to be treated as a mere amusement.
Tribute to Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian
The General praised Krakowian as the “best pilot” known worldwide, full of passion and humility. He described him as a symbol of excellence, commitment, and the highest standards of Polish aviation, and expressed collective sorrow over his loss.
Poland’s first F‑16 crash
On the evening of 28 August, during preparatory drills for an upcoming AirShow, an F‑16 crashed near Radom, killing its pilot, Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian. He had amassed over 1,400 flight hours, 1,200 of them on the F‑16, and served as instructor and training commander at the Krzesin Tactic Aviation Base. The Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office initiated preliminary legal proceedings in the Military Affairs Department.
Source: Gazeta, **Kategori:** 34
