ADF grounds 35 fighter jets after Amberley air base incident

Defence has grounded 35 fighter jets after the crew of a F/A-18 Super Hornet was forced to eject on takeoff | WATCH

The F/A-18 Super Hornet that was involved in the pilot drama. Picture: 9News

Defence has grounded 35 fighter jets after the crew of a F/A-18 Super Hornet was forced to eject from the aircraft on takeoff at Amberley air base near Brisbane on Tuesday.

The Chief of Air Force Mel Hupfeld said 24 Super Hornets and 11 EA-18G Growlers had been taken out of service until the cause of the incident was determined.

Two pilot eject from the F/A-18. Picture: 9News

Air Marshal Hupfeld confirmed the pilot and weapons officer who ejected from the aircraft were well, and an investigation had been launched into the cause of the incident.

“We have ceased our flying operations while we review the circumstances of the incident,” he said.

“This is a sophisticated piece of machinery and it is an incident that has occurred at one of the most critical points, or phases of flight.

“There are many things that we pull together to operate an aeroplane like this.

“This needs to undergo a suitable level of investigation to get the right answers so we can provide the right solutions.”

The jet after the takeoff incident. Picture: 9News

Defence would share the findings of the probe with other nations that operate the aircraft, Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

The pilot and weapons officer parachuted safely from the aircraft on Tuesday afternoon when it suffered an apparent engine failure.

Photographs taken by a bystander appeared to show the cockpit of the aircraft had been scorched in the incident.

Nine News reported the jet was the third in a group of seven taking off from the base when the crew ejected.

RAAF Base Amberley is about 40km southwest of Brisbane on the outskirts of Ipswich.