Polish F-16 crashes during airshow rehearsal, pilot killed Video

A Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet has crashed during a rehearsal for an airshow in the central city of Radom, killing the pilot, the military has confirmed.

“A Polish Army pilot died in the crash of an F-16 aircraft – an officer who always served his country with dedication and great courage. I pay tribute to his memory,” Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote on X after visiting the crash site.

The General Command of the Armed Forces said the jet belonged to the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań and stressed that no bystanders had been hurt. “Rescue operations were immediately initiated at the scene,” it said in a statement.

Footage broadcast by Polish media appeared to show the aircraft attempting a barrel roll before hitting the ground and bursting into flames.

Local outlets reported the crash occurred at about 17:30 GMT on August 28, damaging the runway. As a result, officials have cancelled the Radom Airshow, which had been scheduled for the weekend.

By Aghakazim Guliyev