The death of Poland’s elite fighter pilot, Major Maciej “Slaba” Krakowian, highlights the dangerous balance between jaw-dropping aerobatics and military precision.
Fatal Accident at Radom Air Show
On Thursday, the cost of life was met for a father, husband, and one of Poland’s most spectacular jet pilots. Major Krakowian, known for over 1200 hours of experience with F-16s, was a part of the Tiger Demo Team Poland—a group of elite display pilots. Despite the danger of the maneuvers he performed, Krakowian had just won the “As the Crow Flies” public award at the prestigious UK RIAT air show for an “aggressive and powerful display.” The F-16 involved in the accident is Poland’s second military plane loss in the last year.
Similar Accidents across the Globe
Accidents during military air shows are not uncommon worldwide. In July 2014, the Polish training aircraft M-346 Bielik crashed at Gdynia Babie Doły airport during a pre-show rehearsal. Pilot Major Robert “Killer” Jeł was unable to eject, and in September 2017, an Italian Eurofighter crashed during a performance in Terracina. These examples show the often-unspoken risks associated with dynamic low-altitude aerobatics.
Danger and Joy
While safety is the primary concern, pilots performing high-risk maneuvers admit to the calculated risks involved. These shows have become a balance between public safety and entertainment, with top officials like Chief of General Staff Gen. Wiesław Kukuła acknowledging the problematic nature of these displays.
Source: Gazeta,
