Aircraft crashes during military exercise Pitch Black 24 in the Northern Territory

An aircraft has crashed near Darwin in the Northern Territory during a biennial military exercise that brings together crews from 20 countries.

The international pilot ejected from the aircraft as it crashed in the Douglas Daly region during Exercise Pitch Black 24 on Wednesday and was rescued by the Australian Defence Force at about 10.45am.

The search and rescue helicopter then ferried the pilot to a nearby hospital, arriving at about 1.30pm, with the incident triggering the suspension of flying exercises planned for Wednesday.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the foreign pilot had suffered minor injuries but was okay and said the site was being professionally managed.

“The pilot ejected has been picked up, is safe and is currently in hospital,” he said.

“We’re pretty confident the injuries are minor. The aircraft was lost, it happened south of Darwin, and so the site itself where the plane came out is being secured and managed.

“But thankfully we’ve managed to get through this without serious injury. It’s another moment where we reflect on the professionalism and the excellence of those who wear our nation’s uniform and the way in which they did respond to this.”

Mr Marles said he expected Pitch Black exercises to resume shortly.

The RAAF’s Pitch Black exercise brings together 20 participating nations and operates between the RAAF bases in Darwin and Tindal in the NT as well as Amberley, near Ipswich in Queensland.

An ADF spokesperson said the pilot immediately made radio contact with nearby air crew after they ejected and was located by a search and rescue helicopter.

“Defence can confirm an international participant in Exercise Pitch Black 24 is safe and well after ejecting from their aircraft this morning during flying operations,” said the spokesperson.

“Australian Defence Force personnel responded immediately and professionally at 10.45am to an aircraft emergency in the exercise area and coordinated recovery of the pilot with a search and rescue helicopter.

“The exercise participant made immediate contact with aircrew in the area via radio following their ejection.

“The pilot arrived at hospital by helicopter around 1.30pm (local time).

“All flying for the remainder of the day has been cancelled.”