A F-16 fighter jet crashed in Radom during an air show rehearsal, killing the pilot. An aviation expert described the event as puzzling, highlighting the use of afterburners and high G-forces during the maneuver.
What Happened in Radom? Expert: The Situation Seems Uninterpretable to Me
Experts Highlight Pilot’s Maneuvers and Afterburner Use
Grzegorz Brychczyński from the Association of Engineers and Technicians of the Polish Communication RP Air Force spoke about the F-16 crash on TVN24. He explained that the pilot likely attempted an acrobatic maneuver, aiming to return the aircraft to level flight after a dive. “For me, this is a confusing situation—afterburners were engaged, speed was extremely high, and G-forces were significant,” he said. “In truth, the pilot was only missing 10–15 meters of altitude to safely exit the maneuver,” he added.
Was the Weather a Factor? “There Is an Inertia Moment”
The expert also pointed to weather conditions, stating that the high temperature during the maneuver with afterburners was not ideal. “At high temperatures, air density changes, which involves physics. During a transition from a dive to level flight, there is a moment of inertia where the engine must overcome gravity. Here, it’s clear the pilot lacked those crucial 10–15 meters,” he clarified. He noted the deceased pilot was “one of the best Polish demonstration pilots.”
F-16 Fighter Jet Crashes in Radom. Pilot Dies
On Thursday (August 28), a F-16 fighter jet crashed during an air show rehearsal in Radom. Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz confirmed the pilot’s death, describing him as an officer who “served the Homeland with dedication and courage.” The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with no official conclusions yet released.
Source: Gazeta, https://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/polska/7
