A Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a general test for an air show in Radom, Central Poland, and the pilot died, the army said on Thursday.
“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,” wrote Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz on X after I arrived at the crash scene.
The general command of the armed forces said the accident involved a plane from the 31st tactical aircraft base near Poznan and that there was no damage to any spectators.
“Rescue operations were immediately initiated on stage,” a statement states.
Recordings achieved by Polish media showed that the F-16 performed a barrel of rolling aerobatic maneuver and then crashing into flames as it slipped on the ground.
Local media said the plane crashed into the runway around 1730 GMT and damaged it, and Radom Airshow planned for the weekend has been canceled.
