ALBAWABA- A Polish Air Force F-16 fighter jet from the Tiger Demo Team crashed during a rehearsal for the upcoming Radom Air Show at Sadków Airport, killing the pilot who was unable to eject.
Video footage circulating on social media showed the jet plunging toward the runway before erupting into a massive fireball on impact.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with no reports of injuries on the ground or damage to spectators.
The accident comes just two days before the biennial Radom Air Show, set for August 30–31, which is expected to draw about 180,000 visitors and feature performances by Eurofighter Typhoons, Rafales, Gripens, and a farewell display from Poland’s Su-22 jets. Organizers have not yet announced changes to the program.
Polish military authorities have launched an investigation into the cause, examining possible pilot error, mechanical failure, or other factors.
The crash recalls past air show tragedies in Poland, including the 2024 M-346 accident in Gdynia, highlighting the risks of high-performance aerobatic training.
