An Arizona Air National Guard statement says the pilot flying with the 162nd Wing Arizona Air National Guard was the only person aboard when the plane went down during a Wednesday night training mission.
Further details about the pilot weren't released early Thursday, but rescuers were sent to the crash site 5 miles east of Douglas Municipal Airport.
Cochise County sheriff's spokeswoman Carol Capas tells the Arizona Daily Star that the plane ruptured a gas line and sparked a fire. Once the flames are extinguished, officials will assess the damage.
Capas tells The Associated Press that the crash started a grass fire that covered about 400 yards.