A Polish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon met a dramatic end on Tuesday, 19th March, crashing during a routine training mission. The incident, which is now the subject of a full military investigation, occurred near the city of Poznań in western Poland.
The pilot managed to successfully eject from the stricken aircraft and was subsequently located by rescue services. According to the 31st Tactical Air Base in Poznań, which was responsible for the flight, the aviator is currently receiving medical care. Officials have confirmed that his life is not in danger.
Emergency Response and Investigation Launched
Following the crash, emergency procedures were swiftly activated. A team of military prosecutors and aviation experts has been dispatched to the site to begin the meticulous process of determining the cause of the accident. The area around the crash site has been secured to facilitate the investigation.
The Polish Armed Forces General Command released a statement confirming the incident, stating, "There was an accident involving an F-16 aircraft during a training flight. The pilot ejected. Rescue actions are underway."
A History of Service and Previous Incidents
The F-16 is a cornerstone of Poland's air defence capabilities. The country operates a fleet of 48 such multirole fighter jets, which were acquired in a multi-billion dollar deal and have been in service since 2006.
While this fleet has been a vital asset for NATO member Poland, this is not the first time it has experienced a loss. A previous F-16 crash occurred in 2018, also during a training flight, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot. The safe ejection in this recent event will be a key focus of the ongoing probe into what went wrong.
