Military aircraft crashes during defence exercise in NT but pilot escapes

A plane has crashed during the Exercise Pitch Black defence operation in the Northern Territory, but authorities say the pilot is safe and sound.

A pilot has ejected from an aircraft before it crashed during a defence exercise. Source: AAP / Glenn Campbell

A massive defence exercise has narrowly avoided tragedy after a plane crashed south of Darwin.

The background: The international aircraft was taking part in the biennial Exercise Pitch Black training event when it crashed near the Northern Territory's Daly River on Wednesday morning.

Defence Minister Richard Marles' office confirmed the pilot ejected from the aircraft before the crash, with no fatalities reported from the incident.

The pilot was taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital in a stable condition for precautionary checks, but police said they were "otherwise safe and well".

The key quote: A Defence spokesperson said a search and rescue helicopter had helped to recover the pilot.

"The exercise participant made immediate contact with air-crew in the area via radio following their ejection," the spokesperson said.

What else to know:  It is not yet known what type of aircraft was involved in the crash, or what caused the incident.

Pitch Black, one of the largest tactical air operations in the world, is hosted by the Australian Royal Air Force and includes 20 countries, more than 140 aircraft and 4500 personnel.

What happens next: The defence spokesperson said all flying was cancelled for the remainder of the day.