One man is dead and another has been rushed to hospital with severe burns after a light plane clipped a power line and crashed on the Gold Coast.

Crews were called to an address at Jacobs Well, near the Heck Field airport, about 9.30am on Sunday after the recreational-category aircraft came down.

Police said initial investigations suggested the plane lost power and "clipped an overhead cable" before crashing into trees and catching fire.

The 64-year-old pilot, from Helensvale, was declared dead at the scene.