A FIGHTER jet pilot who died in a tragic crash while performing a loop-the-loop in an F-16 has been dubbed a "legend".

Army veteran pilot Major Maciej Krakowian was at the helm of the Polish aircraft when it nosedived and exploded after crashing into a runway .

Horrified onlookers in the Polish city of Radom, just 62 miles south of Warsaw, were left with their heads in their hands as they watched the crash during an airshow rehearsal.

Video from the scene showed the F-16 soaring to high altitude before suddenly dropping at speed.

The pilot then attempted to turn in the air and pull off the stunt, but tragically crashed into the ground.

The deadly blast was met with a massive plume of black smoke rising into the sky.

Major Krakowian received his pilot training from the Unite

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