Polish F-16 crashes during air show rehearsal, pilot killed

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Polish F-16 crashes during air show rehearsal, pilot killed

3 months ago

News sources:

CBSNEWS

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INDIATIMES

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Polish F-16 crashes during air show rehearsal, pilot killed

Credited from: CBSNEWS

A Polish F-16 fighter jet crashed during air show preparations, killing the pilot.
The incident occurred in Radom, central Poland, prompting the cancellation of the air show.
Official condolences poured in from Polish leaders acknowledging the pilot's dedication.

On Thursday, an F-16 pilot tragically died when the jet crashed during a rehearsal for an air show in Radom, Poland. Confirmed by government spokesperson Adam Szlapka, the crash ignited a significant fireball but spared bystanders from injury. The aircraft was part of the Polish Air Force and was reportedly attempting an aerobatic maneuver at the time, according to CBS News and Newsweek.

The incident took place at approximately 7:30 PM local time, leading to the cancellation of the upcoming Radom Airshow, which had anticipated large attendance. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed their condolences, highlighting the pilot's service and dedication to the country. "This is a great loss for the Air Force and the entire Polish Army," Kosiniak-Kamysz stated on social media, according to India Times and Reuters.

Footage from Polish media captured the F-16 executing a barrel roll before crashing, demonstrating the dramatic nature of the incident. The aircraft was based at the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań, and investigations into the cause of the crash are underway, as confirmed by both South China Morning Post and Dawn.