"The MiG [21] Lancer jet from the 86 Base located in Fetesti crashed on Saturday, July 7, some 10 kilometers north of the base," the statement said.
In a later statement, the ministry said that the pilot died in the incident.
"Lt. Florin Rotaru, a pilot of the MiG Lancer crashed in Fetesti, died," the statement said adding that the pilot was 37 years old.
The Romanian Defense Ministry created a special commission to investigate the cause of the incident.