The Chinese Ministry of National Defence confirmed that the fighter jet J-7 encountered a mechanical failure when it was carrying out a routine training operation near an airport of Shantou.
The ministry said in a statement to Xinhua news agency that pilot was able to parachute safely to the ground before the crash, which damaged a civilian house and injured four people.
The four civilians were taken to a nearby hospital and received medical treatment, it said.
According to the ministry, the jet, which belongs to the Air Force of the PLA Guangzhou Military Area Command, was climbing just after take-off when the mechanical failure occurred.