An Italian Air Force EFA2000 Typhoon fighter jet crashed in Australia on Wednesday, with the pilot managing to escape from the downed jet into a remote outback area and be rescued.
In a brief statement, the Italian Defense Ministry said it was unclear what caused the military plane to crash during a training flight during the Pitch Black 24 exercise. saw According to AFP.
The Italian military said: “The pilot ejected immediately, is in good health and is undergoing a medical examination at the hospital.”
Exercise Commander, Air Commodore Peter Robinson; Confirmed The pilot was not injured and is safe and feeling well.
“Our defense personnel responded quickly and efficiently to this incident and rescued the pilot,” Air Force Brigadier General Robinson said.
“We train for scenarios like this as part of our safety planning, and I’m pleased that our international personnel worked together to coordinate the search, rescue and transport of the pilot to hospital within three hours.”
An Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon lands after its first sortie during Exercise Pitch Black 24 in Australia. (Flight Sergeant David Gibbs/RAAF)
“I would like to thank all those involved, including the Northern Territory emergency services, who contributed to the safe return of this pilot.”
Exercise Pitch Black will involve about 140 aircraft, 4,500 personnel and 20 countries in the Northern Territory.
The Australian Department of Defence said the crash happened at about 10:45 a.m. local time (1:15 a.m. GMT).
The pilot “immediately contacted aircrew in the area via radio after ejecting.”
Police said the plane crashed about 11 miles southwest of Dairy River, a remote rural town of fewer than 500 people and a livestock and fishing center.
“The pilot was taken to hospital for precautionary tests but is otherwise safe and well,” Northern Territory Police said in a statement.
