A Polish Air Force pilot was killed when his F-16 fighter jet crashed during preparations for the Radom Air Show, prompting cancellation of the event.

The aircraft, from the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznan, went down during a practice flight, erupting in flames with no ejection attempt seen.

No bystanders were injured. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz and NATO allies paid tribute to the pilot, a member of the elite “Tiger Demo” unit, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Poland, which has relied on U.S.-made F-16s since 2003, is upgrading its fleet amid heightened defence spending following Russia’s war in Ukraine.