A US F-18 jet crashed near the Tindal Air Force Base in Australia's northern Territory on Tuesday, with its pilot being ejected from the aircraft.  

The jet is one of a squadron of US F/A-18 fighters that have been involved in a joint training operation known as Southern Frontier for more than a month, Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio quoted a defense spokesman as saying.

The pilot has been rushed to the base's hospital and is now in stable condition, the report said.

Investigation is underway on the crash.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2004)