An investigation began on the causes of the accident, which took place on Thursday at Radom airport," said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. Major Maciej Krakowian died in the accident. – He was not only a large pilot, he had tremendous potential. We saw in him a future aviation commander – says General Dyw. Pil. Ireneusz Nowak.
The accident occurred around 19 p.m. today.. At the airport there were rehearsals for the Air Show Radom shows to be held this weekend. During acrobatics in the air, for unknown reasons so far, the F-16 aircraft abruptly fell to the ground and burst into flames. Unfortunately, the pilot failed to eject, died instantly. Behind the steering wheel of the machine, as Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz informed, there was a Major Pil. Maciej “Slab” Krakowian, pilot from 31 Tactical Aviation Base and associate of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team.
– A large pilot, a large soldier of the Polish Army," said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish at a press conference convened in Radom tonight. “I would like to express my deepest sympathy to my own, the full Ministry of National Defence, to the full Polish Army community, to my family, my closest friends,” added the head of the MON.
The Deputy Prime Minister informed that appropriate services were already working at the scene of the accident, in accordance with the procedures, – the State Air Accident Investigation Commission, the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Military Police. – We will keep you informed about the results of the investigation. The prosecution has already announced its conference next day – Kosiniak-Kamysz said.
The head of the MON besides confirmed earlier reports that no 3rd parties were injured as a consequence of the accident.
– The F-16 pilot environment is simply a very tiny environment. We all know each another and we fly together," said General Dyw. Pił. Ireneusz Nowak, Air Force Inspector at the General Command of Armed Forces. – Maciek was not only a large pilot, he had tremendous potential. We saw him as the future air commander. We wanted him to make his career. Today, these dreams were brutally interrupted," the officer added. Gen. Nowak assured that everything would be done to environment the household of the fallen pilot with care.
Mjr pil. Maciej “Slab” Krakowian served regular at 31th Tactical Aviation Base in Krzesiny. He was an experienced pilot (17 years of service and about 1400 hours in the air). In the air force he passed all career levels to the teacher level. From 2022 he was a show pilot at the F-16 Tiger Demo Team. A period ago at the Royal global Air Tattoo in the UK, the world's largest military aviation show, he was honored with the "As the Crow Flies Trophy" award for his solo performance.
F-16 Tiger Demo squad is an aerobatic squad operating at 31 Tactical Aviation Base in Krzesiny for 10 years. During the shows, military pilots present the capabilities of F-16 multi-tasking fighters, which constitute the main impact force of Polish air force. Over the years, their program has been 1 of the biggest attractions of the Radom Air Show.
– The Air Show is cancelled this year – said Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamish. The organizer of the shows, i.e. the Military Property Agency, will inform about all method issues related to, for example, the refund of money for tickets already purchased.
