Kraków 2020-01-02

MiG-21 aircraft accidents and crashes in Poland.

Disasters, accidents and breakdowns involving MiG-21 aircraft of all versions.

Over the 40 years of MiG-21 fighter aircraft’s operation, approximately 90 accidents and crashes occurred. Forty-four pilots and three people on the ground were killed. A total of 582 MiG-21 aircraft were operated by the Polish Army.

On November 20, 1963, at the 62nd Air Force Regiment at Krzesiny Airport, the first accident involving a MiG-21 F-13 nb 2016, no. 742016, occurred. Two aircraft collided during a night landing. The pilot of the MiG-21 was Lieutenant Wawrzyniec Czapiga, Pilot 1st Class. The pilot died instantly. He was returning from a night interception mission. The second aircraft, a MiG-21 F-13 nb 2220 (possibly Lim-5 nb 222), was piloted by Captain Ludwik Podraza, who was unharmed and managed to land.

On June 23, 1965, the MiG-21 F-13 nb 814 / 4814, tail number 740814, crashed, killing its pilot, Captain Eugeniusz Mochnacki. Near the town of Poddębiec. The aircraft belonged to the 40th Fighter Aviation Regiment in Świdwin.

On June 23, 1965, pilot Lieutenant Cyryl Królewski was killed in a MiG-21 F-13 belonging to the 40th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 11th Fighter Division in Świdwin. Near the town of Chlebówek.

On February 23, 1966, a MiG-21 F-13 from the 62nd Air Force Missile Regiment (PLM) crashed. Pilot Lieutenant Roman Kałamoniak survived. Krzesiny Airport.

On June 30, 1966, a MiG-21 PF nb 2405, no. 762405, from the 1st Air Force Missile Regiment (PLM), crashed. Pilot Lieutenant Władysław Betka was killed near Olszyna. The flight was conducted by a pair of aircraft. Władysław Betka was the pilot. While passing through clouds, the pilot lost sight of the pilot. According to procedure, he should have veered to the right to avoid a collision. However, the pilot became disoriented and the aircraft went down. The pilot attempted to eject, but due to the low altitude, the parachute did not deploy. 

In 1967, a series of MiG-21 accidents occurred. A total of seven MiG-21 F-13s, PFs, and PFMs crashed. These were particularly tragic for the 26th Air Force Regiment (PLM) from Zegrze Pomorskie, where two young pilots were killed.

On January 28, 1967, a MiG-21 PF from the 41st Air Force Regiment (PLM) crashed in Malbork. Pilot Lieutenant Sławomir Szczawiński survived. Malbork Airport.

On March 8, 1967, a MiG-21 F-13 from the 4th Air Force Regiment (PLM) crashed in Goleniów. Pilot Lieutenant Paweł Kacprzak died. Near Wierzchosław.

On April 4, 1967, a MiG-21 PFM nb 4110, no. 94 A 4110, from the 41st Air Force Regiment (PLM) crashed in Malbork. The pilot survived.

On April 17, 1967, MiG-21 PF nb 2008, No. 762008, of the 26th Air Force Regiment crashed in Zegrze Pomorskie. Pilot 2nd Lieutenant Czesław Rawski was killed near Racibórz Polanowski. The aircraft collided with the ground. The cause of the crash has not been determined.

On June 19, 1967, MiG-21 PFM nb 4111, No. 94A 4111, crashed. The pilot survived.

On August 28, 1967, MiG-21 PFM nb 4204, No. 94A 4204, of the 41st Air Force Regiment crashed. The pilot survived. Other sources give the date as January 23, 1968.

On September 28, 1967, a MiG-21 PF from the 26th Air Force Regiment crashed. Pilot Lieutenant Mieczysław Brańka was killed near Mostowo. The accident occurred during a night flight in normal weather conditions, while approaching for landing. The cause of the crash remains unknown.

In 1968, five aircraft were lost, and two pilots were killed. January 1968 was particularly critical.

On January 22, 1968, a MiG-21 F-13 nb 2403, no. 762403, from the 62nd Air Force Regiment crashed. The pilot survived.

On January 22, 1968, a MiG-21 PF from the 1st Air Force Regiment crashed. Pilot Lieutenant Walety Ziętek was killed near Zasiadly. The pilot was conducting a night flight. According to eyewitness accounts, a fire broke out on board, and the aircraft fell to the ground in a ball of flames. The cause of the crash remains unknown.

On January 23, 1968, a MiG-21 PFM nb 5402, no. 94 A 5402, of the 34th Air Force Missile Regiment, crashed. The pilot survived. 

On January 23, 1968, a MiG-21 PFM nb 07, No. 94 ML-07, from the 40th Air Force Base, crashed. The pilot survived.

On May 23, 1968, at 6:35 AM, a MiG-21 PFM nb 6514, No. 94 A 6514, from the 26th Air Force Base, crashed. Pilot Lieutenant Włodzimierz Łubniewski was killed. The crash occurred near the town of Rosnowo. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff. A memorial is located at the crash site.

On January 24, 1969, a MiG-21 PFM from the 11th Air Force Base crashed near the town of Zamłynie. Pilot Lieutenant Mieczysław Wojciechowski was killed. According to eyewitness accounts, the pilot did not eject because he wanted to avoid hitting houses and killing the occupants. A memorial is located at the crash site.

On February 24, 1969, a MiG-21 F-13 crashed immediately after takeoff in the 62nd Air Force Regiment in Krzesiny, killing its pilot, Captain Andrzej Lewandowski. Krzesiny Airport.

On August 12, 1969, MiG-21 PFM no. 7014 from the 34th Air Force Regiment crashed near the town of Tuławki. Pilot Captain Piotr Kromołowski was killed.

On August 13, 1969, MiG-21 PFM no. 94N7813 from the 26th Air Force Regiment crashed near the Czyżykowo estate of Tczew. Pilot Captain Zenon Doliński was killed. The regiment from Debrzno operated flights within the NTWA, using storms and Malbork Airport. The next mission of the day was a flight along the Malbork–Słupsk–Debrzno route, simultaneously intercepting aerial targets, two by two. Captain Zenon Doliński took off first at 9:18 PM. Shortly after takeoff from Malbork Airport, the plane entered a storm cloud. The weather conditions were difficult to describe (turbulence and lightning), and the plane crashed. The pilot was killed instantly. The time was 9:21 PM. The press reported the crash and the pilot’s death, which was unusual at the time.

On April 2, 1970, a MiG-21 PF from the 10th Air Force Regiment crashed near Szydłowiec. Pilot Lieutenant Wiesław Bolek was killed. He was a Pilot 1st Class with 547 flight hours. On that day, flights were being conducted at NTWA. The plane crashed, and the pilot died instantly. The cause of the crash was not clearly established. The pilot probably lost spatial orientation.

On September 3, 1970, a MiG-21M, registration number 1815, number 961815, of the 41st Air Force Missile Regiment (PLM), crashed. The pilot survived.

On September 18, 1970, a MiG-21 PFM, registration number 6912, number 94A, 6912, of the 34th Air Force Missile Regiment (PLM), crashed. The pilot survived.

On November 9, 1970, a MiG-21 PF from the 1st Air Force Regiment crashed near Pęcław. Pilot Lieutenant Wiktor Panczyj was killed. The 1st Air Force Regiment Mińsk Mazowiecki and the 62nd Air Force Regiment from Krzesiny were practicing flights at the National Aviation Regiment. Two MiG-21 PF aircraft collided: Lieutenant Piotr Maika (62nd Air Force Regiment) and Lieutenant Wiktor Panczyj (1st Air Force Regiment). Despite damage, the former landed. The latter crashed, burying the pilot. The cause of the tragedy remains unclear.

On February 16, 1971, a MiG-21 PFM from the 11th Air Force Regiment crashed near Wrząca Śląska. Pilot Captain Henryk Osierda was killed.

On May 6, 1971, a MiG-21 U from the 39th Air Force Regiment crashed at the Mierzecice airfield. Pilot Major Alfred Grzechulski was killed.

On May 11, 1971, at the 40th Air Force Base in Świdnica, a MiG-21 F-13, nb 0905, no. 760905, collided with a MiG-21 U, nb 1219.

On July 27, 1971, a MiG-21 MF, nb 6511, no. 966511, from the 34th Air Force Base suffered an accident. The pilot survived.

On August 31, 1971, a MiG-21 PFM, nb 5611, collided with a MiG-21 PFM, nb 5310, from the 26th Air Force Base.

1972 was the first year in which no MiG-21 aircraft crashed or crashed.

On July 3, 1973, a MiG-21 from the 26th Air Force Regiment Zegrze Pomorskie crashed. Pilot Lt. Henryk Zieliński was killed. He was flying a daytime air combat mission. The cause of the crash remains unknown.

On August 24, 1973, a MiG-21 F-13 from the 2nd Air Force Regiment crashed over Wolin Island. Pilot Lieutenant Jan Turowski was killed. The cause of the crash was unknown. Poor weather conditions prevailed at the time.

1974 was another year without any MiG-21 crashes or accidents.

1975 was a year with five accidents, but no pilots died. It is difficult to determine the exact date for all of these accidents.

On August 12, 1975, MiG-21 MF nb 7813, no. 967813, from the 41st Air Force Regiment crashed. The pilot survived.

On August 12, 1975, MiG-21 MF nb 9013, no. 969013, from the 26th Air Force Regiment crashed. The pilot survived.

On December 31, 1975, MiG-21 MF nb 7808, no. 967808, of the 41st Air Force Missile Regiment (PLM), crashed. The pilot survived.

On December 31, 1975, MiG-21 MF nb 9104, no. 969104, of the 34th Air Force Missile Regiment (PLM), crashed. The pilot survived.

On December 31, 1975, MiG-21 M nb 2002, no. 962002, of the 41st Air Force Missile Regiment (PLM), crashed. The pilot survived.

On July 7, 1976, MiG-21 US nb 4609, no. 09685146, of the 62nd Air Force Missile Regiment (PLM), crashed at Krzesiny Airport. Pilots Lieutenants Antoni Babkiewicz and Romuald Rejewski were killed.

On June 15, 1977, a MiG-21 MF from the 41st Air Force Missile Regiment (PLM) crashed near Bogatka. The pilot was Second Lieutenant Mieczysław Huza. Mieczysław Huza died, and his funeral was held in Stary Sącz.

On September 20, 1977, a MiG-21 MF nb 7905, no. 967905, from the 41st Air Force Missile Regiment (PLM), crashed. The pilot survived.

On November 14, 1977, MiG-21 MF nb 8908, no. 968908, from the 26th Airlift Regiment (PLM) crashed. The pilot survived.

On January 16, 1978, MiG-21 M nb 1317, no. 661317, from the 1st Airlift Regiment (PLM) crashed. The pilot survived.

On January 16, 1978, a MiG-21 U from the 39th Airlift Regiment (PLM) crashed at Mierzęcice Airport. The pilot (trainee), Lieutenant Tomasz Smaga, was killed. The instructor pilot in the second cockpit ejected safely. During a training flight at the National Airlift Authority (NZWA) near Siewierz, an engine failure occurred. During the ejection, the pilot was not separated from his seat, and he fell to the ground with his seat, dying instantly. The OKR-2 oxygen hose line was too long, became tangled, and broke.

On June 14, 1978, a MiG-21 M nb 1220, no. 661220, from the Modlin Air Base crashed. The pilot survived.

On June 14, 1978, a MiG-21 U from the 11th Airlift Regiment crashed at the Wrocław-Starachowice Airport. The pilot, Captain Zbigniew Jancewicz, died. The pilot was buried in Wrocław at the Osobowice Cemetery.

On July 30, 1978, a MiG-21 M nb 1908, no. 961908, crashed. The pilot survived.

On August 14, 1978, a MiG-21 F-13 nb 0704, no. 760704, from the 62nd Airlift Regiment crashed. The pilot survived.

On March 22, 1979, a MiG-21 F-13 nb 1705, no. 761705, from the 62nd Fighter Aviation Regiment (PLM), crashed. The pilot survived.

On March 22, 1979, a MiG-21 PF nb 1705 from the 10th Fighter Aviation Regiment (PLM) crashed over the Nowa Dęba training ground. The pilot was Captain Walenty Giegiel. He had 1,498 flight hours in TS-8 Bies, UTI MiG-15, Lim-2, Lim-5, and MiG-21 aircraft. He was a 1st Class Pilot. At 4:50 PM, after identifying ground targets on the training ground, he decided to attack. He conducted the approach with a significant bank angle and low airspeed. This caused the aircraft to enter critical angles of attack, resulting in a dramatic loss of lift. The aircraft collapsed onto its wing and struck the ground. Captain Pilot Walenty Giegiel died at the scene. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error, but witnesses claimed the plane’s engine was not working properly.

On June 20, 1979, MiG-21 NB 2011, No. 962011, of the 41st Air Force Missile Regiment, crashed. The pilot survived.

On August 2, 1979, MiG-21 PF, No. 2409, No. 762409, of the 11th Air Force Missile Regiment, crashed. The aircraft was repaired.

On February 25, 1980, MiG-21 PFM, No. 6602, No. 94 A, No. 6602, of the 26th Air Force Missile Regiment, crashed. The pilot survived.

On October 1, 1980, MiG-21 UM, No. 3061, No. 516913061, of the 10th Air Force Missile Regiment, crashed at the Lask airport. Pilot Instructor Lieutenant Colonel Roman Ivanov was killed. During the flight, the canopy of the second cockpit tore off, damaging the ejection system. The pilot in the first cockpit ejected because he believed the instructor had abandoned the aircraft. The instructor was unable to eject and crashed in the aircraft, dying instantly.

On December 12, 1980, a MiG-21 PFM from the 2nd Goleniów Military Aviation Regiment crashed near Wierzchosława. Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Henryk Halka was killed. Lieutenant Colonel Henryk Halka was the regiment commander. He was a Polish cosmonaut candidate in a group of four. He died shortly after takeoff from Goleniów Airport at DTWA. The cause of the crash remains unclear.

On January 26, 1981, a MiG-21 bis nb 0786, no. 75080786, from the 34th Military Aviation Regiment crashed at Gdynia-Babie Doły Airport. Pilot Lieutenant Witold Kowalewski died instantly.

On May 22, 1981, a MiG-21 PFM from the 39th Air Force Regiment crashed during an exercise at the CCCP near Ashaluk (Astrakhan). Pilot Major Lesław Maślankiewicz died. The cause of the crash is unknown.

On June 5, 1981, MiG-21 UM nb 9314, no. 516999314, from the 34th Air Force Regiment crashed at Babie Doły airfield. Pilots Lieutenants Bolesław Sobania and Andrzej Leśnik were killed.

On July 9, 1981, a MiG-21 PF from the 1st Air Force Regiment crashed near Drążdżewo, 48 km east of Ciechanów. Pilot Lieutenant Krzysztof Czerwiński died instantly. The aircraft crashed.

On May 17, 1982, a MiG-21 MF nb 7806, no. 967806, from the 41st Air Force Regiment crashed. The pilot survived.

On June 17, 1982, a MiG-21 bis nb 9027, no. 75089027, from the 34th Air Force Regiment, crashed. The aircraft collided with the ground. The pilot survived.

On September 22, 1982, a MiG-21 M from the 9th Air Force Regiment crashed near Rogowo. Pilot Lieutenant Stanisław Pawlak was killed.

On May 12, 1983, a MiG-21 PFM from the 2nd Air Force Regiment crashed at Goleniów Airport. Pilot Lieutenant Wiesław Kalicki ejected at an altitude of 3,900 meters.

On September 1, 1983, a MiG-21 PFM from the 2nd Air Force Regiment crashed over the Nadarzyce training ground. Pilot Captain Roman Jóźwik survived.

On November 29, 1983, a MiG-21 MF, nb 7915, no. 967915, from the 34th Air Force Regiment (PLM), crashed. The pilot survived.

On December 2, 1983, a MiG-21 MF from the 4th Air Force Regiment (PLM) crashed near Rychowa. Lieutenant Eugeniusz Wojciechowski was the pilot. The pilot’s fate is unknown.

On December 21, 1983, a MiG-21 PFM from the 62nd Air Force Regiment (PLM) crashed at Krzesiny Airport. The pilot was Captain Zbigniew Stachurski. The pilot’s fate is unknown.

On February 18, 1984, a MiG-21 PF from the 1st Air Force Regiment (PLM) crashed near Kolonia Czarno. Pilot Major Jerzy Moryc was killed. The mission was a technical test run after replacing a fuel pump. At an altitude of 14,000 meters, contact was lost with the pilot. The aircraft plunged vertically into the ground. The causes of the disaster have not been determined.

In March 1984, MiG-21 MF nb 9203, no. 969203, of the 41st PLM, crashed. The pilot survived.

On May 11, 1985, at 9:15 AM, MiG-21 UM nb 6508 of the 32nd PLRT crashed. Pilots Captain Zbigniew Pawełek and Lieutenant Colonel Tadeusz Tworzydło were killed. At the time, the 32nd PLRT was operating from Świdwin Airport.

On May 21, 1985, MiG-21 PF of the 1st PLM crashed at the airport in Mińsk Mazowiecki. Pilot 2nd Lieutenant Stanisław Lubojański was killed. The fate of the pilot is unknown.

On August 6, 1985, MiG-21 UM nb 9322 of the 9th PLM crashed at the airport in Debrzno. Pilots Captain Wiesław Siniarski and Lieutenant Colonel Zygmunt Maćkowiak were killed. Three people on the ground also died, including a child who died in the hospital. They were on a currant plantation. The crew was practicing a demonstration flight. The cause was a pilot error.

On February 23, 1986, a MiG-21 F-13, nb 1711, no. 761711, from the 62nd Airborne Regiment (PLM), crashed.

On July 2, 1986, a MiG-21 PFM from the 62nd Airborne Regiment (PLM), crashed near Janów. Pilot Captain Ryszard Wilczek was killed.

On June 3, 1987, a MiG-21 R, nb 1911, from the 32nd Airborne Regiment (PLRT), crashed. Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Henryk Przychodzień, a 1st Class pilot, was killed. The pilot, flying at a speed of 850 km/h, at an altitude of 200 meters, with a bank to the left wing, briefly glanced at the map to determine the location of a detected target, and then struck the ground.

On March 4, 1988, a MiG-21 MF from the 11th Air Force Regiment crashed at Starachowice-Wrocław Airport. Pilot Lieutenant Jarosław Górecki died during takeoff on a night flight. The cause of the crash was engine failure resulting from damage to an air line supplying pressurized air to the afterburner fuel pump. The excessive fuel consumption caused the turbine blades to burn out and the engine to stop. Colleagues from Military Unit 1465 placed a commemorative plaque at the site of the pilot’s death.

On April 13, 1989, a MiG-21 bis nb 0774 from the 34th Air Force Regiment crashed. It was repaired and continued in service.

On June 16, 1988, a MiG-21 bis nb 9095, no. 75089095, from the 34th Air Force Regiment crashed at Babie Doły Airport. Pilot 2nd Lt. Wojciech Kucharski was killed. The aircraft was approaching for landing when its landing gear clipped a shaft located in front of the take-off area. The aircraft rolled onto its side and struck the ground. Pilot 2nd Lt. Wojciech Kucharski died instantly. The commission determined that the pilot’s approach was too flat.

On April 13, 1989, a MiG-21 bis nb 0701, no. 75080701, from the 34th Air Force Regiment (PLM) crashed. The pilot survived.

On November 16, 1990, at 6:00 PM, a MiG-21 bis from the 9th Air Force Regiment (PLM) (Zegrze Pomorskie) crashed near Mostowo, in the Drzewiany area. Pilot Lieutenant Andrzej Seroka died. The flight was conducted in difficult weather conditions. The cause of the crash remains unexplained. A memorial has been erected at the crash site.

On March 1, 1991, a MiG-21 MF nb 7405, no. 96007405, from the 34th Air Force Regiment (PLM), collided with a MiG-21 fighter from the 11th Air Force Regiment (PLM). The pilots survived.

On May 5 (August 8), 1992, MiG-21 bis nb 8645, no. 75078645, from the 34th PLM, crashed. The pilot survived.

On November 20, 1992, pilot Lieutenant Roman Jacek was killed in the crash of MiG-21 PFM nb 5614, no. 94 A 5614, from the 26th PLM from Zegrze Pomorskie (62nd PLM). The pilot took off from Krzesiny Airport for a night flight in difficult weather conditions. After takeoff, the instrument lighting went out, which the pilot reported. He was instructed to climb above the clouds. However, by then the aircraft was already in inverted flight. The pilot pulled the stick back and crashed into the ground at full speed near the town of Palędzie.

On February 25, 1994, a MiG-21 bis nb 8918, no. 75078918, from the 34th Airlift Division (PLM), crashed during takeoff. The pilot managed to eject and survived.

On June 28, 1996, a MiG-21 bis from the 1st Air Division of the Polish Navy crashed at Babie Doły airfield, near the mouth of the Piaśnica River, 3 km from Dąbki. The aircraft crashed into the sea. The pilot, Navy Captain Sławomir Guzowski, died.

On July 29, 1996, a MiG-21 bis nb 8890 from the 1st Airlift Division of the Polish Navy, crashed into the Bay of Puck. The pilot successfully ejected.

On June 10, 1997, a MiG-21 PFM nb 6607, no. 94 A 6607, from the 3rd (formerly 62nd) Air Force Base in Krzesiny, crashed.

On October 29, 1999, a MiG-21 bis nb 0887 from Babie Doły crashed on the Hel Peninsula. The pilot ejected safely.

On July 14 (April 4), 2000, a MiG-21 bis from the 41st Air Force Base in Malbork crashed on the training ground in Nadarzyce near Piła. The experienced 36-year-old pilot, Major Dariusz Mikołajczyk, ejected too late and was killed.

On September 27, 2001, at 1:25 PM, a MiG-21 from the 41st ELT in Malbork crashed in Nowa Pilona near Elbląg, 50 meters from buildings and 200 meters from the Warsaw-Gdańsk road no. 7. Pilot Stanisław B. ejected at an altitude of 3,000 meters and survived despite injuries. The pilot had 18 years of flying experience.

This list may contain unintentional errors and inaccuracies. We apologize to the pilots and their families for any errors. This list was created in 2007 and is regularly updated.

Written by Karol Placha Hetman