CHC, July 28, 2024 - On July 24, a pilot operating an international fast jet in Exercise Pitch Black, a training exercise run by the Australian Defence Force, was forced to eject from the aircraft unexpectedly. The incident took place approximately 100 miles south of Darwin.
Exercise Pitch Black brings together 20 participating nations and over 140 aircraft from around the world.
CHC teams from RAAF Darwin and RAAF Tindal were in the air within minutes of the activation call. At the incident site, a crewman was hoisted down from Darwin’s AW139 aircraft to the pilot on the ground. In under an hour from the callout, the pilot was winched up and into the helicopter heading to Darwin for medical assessment.
Thanks to the swift and coordinated responses from our crews in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force, the incident was managed safely and effectively.
Cameron Dixon, Head of CHC Australia, said, “Thank you to all parties involved for their professionalism, dedication and teamwork during this challenging situation.
“This mission reinforces the value of cross-organisational collaboration and our extensive and standardised training to ensure high-stakes missions are safe and successful.”
The Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet belonging to the Italian Air Force (AMI), deployed to Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2024, crashed for unknown reasons southwest of Darwin in the Douglas Daly region, Northern Territory.
The Italian Air Force is participating in the international exercise Pitch Black for the first time, having deployed six F-35s and four Typhoons, supported by G550 AEW, KC-767 tanker, and C-130J transport aircraft. The Italian Navy is also participating with its aircraft carrier Cavour carrying F-35 and AV-8B jets
Exercise Pitch Black brings together 20 participating nations and over 140 aircraft from around the world.
CHC teams from RAAF Darwin and RAAF Tindal were in the air within minutes of the activation call. At the incident site, a crewman was hoisted down from Darwin’s AW139 aircraft to the pilot on the ground. In under an hour from the callout, the pilot was winched up and into the helicopter heading to Darwin for medical assessment.
Thanks to the swift and coordinated responses from our crews in collaboration with the Australian Defence Force, the incident was managed safely and effectively.
Cameron Dixon, Head of CHC Australia, said, “Thank you to all parties involved for their professionalism, dedication and teamwork during this challenging situation.
“This mission reinforces the value of cross-organisational collaboration and our extensive and standardised training to ensure high-stakes missions are safe and successful.”
The Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet belonging to the Italian Air Force (AMI), deployed to Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2024, crashed for unknown reasons southwest of Darwin in the Douglas Daly region, Northern Territory.
The Italian Air Force is participating in the international exercise Pitch Black for the first time, having deployed six F-35s and four Typhoons, supported by G550 AEW, KC-767 tanker, and C-130J transport aircraft. The Italian Navy is also participating with its aircraft carrier Cavour carrying F-35 and AV-8B jets
Italian Air Force Typhoons
Darwin Intl See also |
AW139 in
Royal Australian Air Force 
Aeronautica Militare Italiana Italian Air Force RAAF Rescue Service CHC Helicopters Australia 
