Two Air Force pilots are forced to eject from their fighter jet during take off - leaving the $90 million plane with scorch marks

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. 

The incident involving an F/A-18 happened at RAAF Amberley Airbase, south-west of Ipswich in Queensland at about 2.30pm on Tuesday

The quick-thinking pilots were seen coming to the ground in parachutes, and the plane was left with scorch marks around the cockpit

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 burnt out $90million aircraft ended up on the side of the runway into a grassed area

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.

A Super Hornet strike aircraft (stock image) touches down at the RAAF Base at Amberley, west of Brisbane