Watch| F-16 crashes in Poland during rehearsal for airshow, pilot dies

An F-16 fighter jet of the Polish Air Force crashed during a rehearsal for an upcoming airshow, leading to the death of the pilot, the country’s army said in a statement.

Footage obtained by Polish media showed the F-16 performing a barrel roll aerobatic manoeuvre, and then crashing in flames as it slid on the ground. Local reports indicate that the pilot—part of Nato’s elite “Tiger Demo” air unit—did not appear to eject before the aircraft crashed.

Local media said the aircraft crashed into the runway around 1730 GMT and damaged it, and the Radom Airshow planned for the weekend has been cancelled.

Confirming the news on X, Poland’s Minister of National Defence, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, said, “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.”

Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said, “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.”

With inputs from agencies