- The incident involved an F/A-18 at RAAF Amberley Airbase in Queensland
- The quick-thinking pilots were seen heading toward the ground in parachutes
- The Super Hornet was in a group of jets undertaking a regular training exercise
- When the jet reached the end of the runway it appeared to suffer engine failure
- The burnt out aircraft ended up on the side of the runway in a grassed area
- The Department of Defence said both pilots landed safely without injury
By ALANA MAZZONI FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
Two Air Force pilots have been forced to parachute to the ground after their fighter jet developed an engine failure during takeoff.
The incident involving an F/A-18 happened at RAAF Amberley Airbase, south-west of Ipswich in Queensland at about 2.30pm on Tuesday.
Footage showed the crew landing in their parachutes with the jet’s cockpit jettisoned.
A witness told Nine News the emergency happened during takeoff.
The Super Hornet was in a group of about seven jets that were undertaking a regular training exercise.
The plane was third in line, but when it reached the end of the runway it appeared to suffer an engine failure, prompting the pilots to flee.
The burnt out $90million aircraft ended up on the side of the runway in a grassed area.
A defence expert said it appeared to be caused by the collapse of nose-landing gear.
The Department of Defence said both pilots landed safely without injury.
‘The aircrew of that aircraft are safe and no other personnel were involved in the incident,’ a Defence spokeswoman said in a statement on Tuesday.
‘Defence’s first priority is the safety of personnel at RAAF Base Amberley.’
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.
