France's version of the Red Arrows aerobatic display team has suspended all flight demonstrations after one of its jets crashed into a roadside field.

The Patrouille de France (PAF) aircraft came down just outside the perimeter fence of Perpignan's airport in the south of France.

The pilot was reportedly injured but alive after managing to eject from the cockpit.

Footage of the crash scene showed the jet largely intact but with smoke visible.

The Alpha Jet aircraft appeared to hit a wall lining the D117 Peyrestortes Road, which borders the airport's runway.

France's Patrouille de France perform display for Bastille Day 2019 Show all 7 1 /7 France's Patrouille de France perform display for Bastille Day 2019 France's Patrouille de France perform display for Bastille Day 2019 The jets spray lines of smoke in the colors of the French flag over the Champs-Elysees AP France's Patrouille de France perform display for Bastille Day 2019 PAF perform over the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer AFP/Getty Images France's Patrouille de France perform display for Bastille Day 2019 Festival goers watch as French Alpha Jets fly over giant "EUROCKS" letters during the 31th Eurockeennes rock music festival in Belfort, eastern France AFP/Getty Images France's Patrouille de France perform display for Bastille Day 2019 PAF performs a flying display over Paris during the annual Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees AFP/Getty Images France's Patrouille de France perform display for Bastille Day 2019 PAF performs a flying display over Paris during the annual Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees AFP/Getty Images France's Patrouille de France perform display for Bastille Day 2019 PAF performs a flying display over Paris during the annual Bastille Day military parade down the Champs-Elysees REUTERS France's Patrouille de France perform display for Bastille Day 2019 The Patrouille De France entertain the crowds at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2019 at RAF Fairford station in Gloucestershire, Britain, on 20 July 2019 EPA

The PAF had been expected to take part in an airshow near Perpignan, which lies just north of the border with Spain on the Mediterranean coast.

The elite flying team performed a display during the annual Bastille Day military parade over Paris' Champs-Elysees earlier this month.

Colonel Cyrille Duvivier, spokesman for the French Air Force, said the jet "swerved" after attempting to land earlier on Thursday.

"The plane was visibly in trouble, we saw smoke," said one eyewitness, quoted in French media. "He tried several times to land without success."

The exact cause of the crash is not yet known.