Major “SLAB” Krakowian Was the Leader of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team

Just days ahead of Poland’s largest aviation gathering, the leader of the country’s Tiger Demo Team was behind the controls of an F-16 that crashed, unfortunately costing him his life. Major Maciej “SLAB” Krakowian is remembered as one of Poland’s most talented and passionate pilots.

The F-16C fighter jet crashed on August 28, 2025, during rehearsal for the Radom International Airshow. Footage shows that the aircraft was executing an aerobatic maneuver and impacted the runway, catching fire as it slid across the ground. Rescue services were quick to the scene, but the pilot did not survive.

The pilot was identified as Major Maciej “SLAB” Krakowian of the Polish Air Force’s Tiger Demo Team from the 31st Tactical Air Base. SLAB was one of Poland’s most experienced F-16 pilots, serving both as an instructor and as the face of the service’s aerobatic team. He logged more than 1,000 flight hours in the F-16 and had earlier trained at Poland’s Aviation Training Institute in D?blin and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Krakowian was highly regarded across Europe for his precision flying. Earlier in August, he received the “As the Crow Flies” trophy at the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford, England, recognizing the best overall flight demonstration of the event.

His passing comes only days before the Radom Airshow. This was expected to be one of Central Europe’s largest aviation gatherings, typically drawing over 180,000 attendees. In the wake of the crash, Polish authorities called off the show.

The Polish Air Force’s F-16s were originally delivered between 2006 and 2008 under the Block 52+ configuration. Powered by Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines and equipped with AN/APG-68(V)9 radar, they have served as the backbone of Poland’s combat aviation and NATO interoperability. The accident followed just two weeks after Poland signed a $3.8 billion mid-life upgrade contract to modernize its fleet to the F-16V Viper Block 70/72 standard, including installation of the AN/APG-83 SABR active electronically scanned array radar.

FMI: www.gov.pl