The pilot of a light aircraft has died in a fiery crash south-west of Warwick in Queensland's Southern Downs region.

The recreational kit-built aircraft crashed in the paddock of a rural property off Palgrave Road just after midday, sparking a small grass fire.

A LifeFlight helicopter was called to the property but the pilot died at the scene.

Police said they believed the pilot was the only person on board.

"I can confirm that around 12.15pm today a transmission was received that a light plane was experiencing trouble," Darling Downs police district officer Acting Inspector Paula Smithard said.

An Australian Transport Safety Bureau spokesperson said the bureau had received notification of the incident but was not investigating as the aircraft involved was a "kit-built aircraft".

The spokesperson said the aircraft was registered with Recreation Aviation Australia.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson said a local landholder had created a fire break at the property to help contain a grass fire that started after the crash.

Police officers from the Forensic Crash Unit were inspecting the wreckage on Thursday afternoon.

Investigators will work with officials from Recreational Aviation Australia to determine the cause of the crash.