Update on Italian pilot who ejected from jet on Exercise Pitch Black 24

After bailing from thousands of feet, the pilot was floating back to earth with a new task of remembering his brief on crocodiles, buffaloes, and snakes. This is what we know so far about the Pitch Black aircraft crash.

Air Commodore Pete Robinson speaking to the media regarding the Italian pilot who ejected on Exercise Pitch Black 24.

The Italian pilot who bailed from his Eurofighter Typhoon F-2000 before it crashed into the Territory outback is “safe and healthy”, having only sustained scratches and bruises in his emergency ejection.

About 10.45am on Wednesday morning, the Italian air force pilot ejected over the Douglas Daly region, with his jet ploughing into pastoral land 12 kilometres from the Daly River community.

The pilot was subsequently recovered and taken to Royal Darwin Hospital where he remained overnight.

At a press conference on Thursday morning, Air Commodore Pete Robinson said the pilot was safe and in positive spirits.

“I’m very pleased to say the pilot is in good health, he has some scratches and bruises and he has a pretty exceptional story to tell about his flying in Australia.”

Notification of the aircrash crash involving the Italian pilot.

Air Commodore Robinson revealed the pilot abandoned his multimillion-dollar jet when “an issue” occurred with his aircraft.

“There’s an investigation that is ongoing at the moment and that investigation will take some time to work through but our initial indications are that the event was to do with that particular aircraft,” he said.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with the wider Pitch Black construct or with other aircraft involved in the exercise.”

Air Commodore Robinson said the pilot himself had been mentally preoccupied with the outback as he floated down to safety.

“ … after the brief we give them about crocodiles and snakes and buffaloes, they had some time thinking in the parachute all the way down,” he said.

“But he’s actually hit the ground in good condition and our ability to recover him quickly has got him back into hospital (where) he stayed overnight for precautionary scans and he should be released from hospital this morning.”

A photo of a Spanish Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon II aircraft, similar to the Italian airframe which crashed in the Douglas Daly region. Picture: Nikolay Doychinov / AFP

Air Commodore Robinson said it took “about 90 minutes” to recover the pilot post-ejection, with a recovery helicopter making a 160 kilometre trip to pick up the stranded Italian.

“(When) the pilot had ejected we were able to put a search and rescue recovery process into place very quick,” he said.

“And from a search and rescue recovery (perspective), it was a textbook recovery that was done by the search and rescue teams, plus our airborne on-scene commanders from the Royal Australian Air Force.”

The crash site was subsequently secured by authorities for examination, with Australian investigators from Canberra flying into Darwin on Thursday afternoon to assist their Italian counterparts.

“We are securing the crash site which is about 90 miles to the south of Darwin,” Air Commodore Robinson said.

“And that is done through a combined team of both the Italians and Australians, working closely together there as we secure that site.”

Exercise Pitch Black has resumed its activities.

After the ejection, the exercise was grounded until participants were satisfied they were clear to take back to the skies.

On Thursday morning, Exercise Pitch Black 24 resumed activities, with the Italian air force also electing to take back to the skies overhead.

“Each of those countries have gone through their airworthiness process, we have talked with each of the countries and as result of that we have been comfortable to resume flying today.”

An Italian spokesman said the pilot had undergone tests at Royal Darwin Hospital to ensure he was medically cleared.

“He is in good health and is completing medical tests at hospital.”

Defence Prime Minister Richard Marles says he was pleased to learn the pilot was recovered safely.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said he was pleased to learn the pilot was safe and said his thoughts remained with the exercise’s participants.

“I am pleased to hear the pilot involved is safe and recovering in hospital,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with them and all Australian and international personnel involved in this important exercise.

Originally published as Update on Italian pilot who ejected from jet on Exercise Pitch Black 24