A pilot has had a lucky escape when a plane burst into flames on crash landing at an Australian airport on Monday.

The small plane, understood to be a fixed-wing aircraft, landed heavily and caught fire at Parafield Airport in Adelaide’s north about 12.30pm.

“The fire spread to nearby grass, however has since been extinguished,” South Australia Police said.

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today

The pilot, the only person on the plane, was not injured.

Pictures from 7NEWS showed flames and thick black smoke billowing from the plane before the emergency was controlled at the general aviation and training airport.

No other planes were involved in the incident, police said.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau have been notified of the emergency and is investigating.