A tragic incident occurred in central Poland on Thursday, August 28, 2025, when a Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a rehearsal for the upcoming Radom Airshow, killing its pilot.

Footage shared by Polish media captured the devastating moment, showing the jet performing a barrel roll before rapidly descending and crashing into the ground. The aircraft exploded on impact, erupting into flames.

According to the General Command of the Polish Armed Forces, the aircraft belonged to the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań and crashed at approximately 5:30 P.M. GMT.

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Fortunately, no bystanders were injured in the accident, but the crash caused significant damage to the runway, prompting the cancellation of the weekend airshow.

“Rescue operations were immediately initiated at the scene," Reuters.com quoted the Armed Forces as saying in a statement.

Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is reported to have confirmed the pilot's death and paid tribute to his service.

"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," the minister wrote on X after visiting the crash site.

Local reports indicate that the pilot was rehearsing complex aerial manoeuvres in preparation for the international Radom Airshow, a popular aviation event that attracts spectators from across Europe.

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