The pilot was killed when the plane crashed near Change Square in eastern Sana’a, while at least eight civilians died on the ground, the sources said.
A military source identified the plane as a Russian-made Sukhoi SU-22 attack aircraft, but was unable to say what caused the crash which he said killed pilot Mohamed Shaker.
Medics expected the toll to rise as the aircraft smashed into a building that houses residences and shops near Change Square, epicenter of the uprising that ousted former dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Witnesses said the building was badly damaged and that several ambulances rushed to the scene as helicopters hovered overhead.
A loud explosion shook the area when the crash occurred, witnesses said. Thick black smoke billowed over the district, where several cars were ablaze.
In November, an Antonov M26 of the Yemeni air force crashed during a training mission in a northern district of Sana’a, killing all 10 occupants.
A Yemen air base is located near the Sana’a international airport, just 15 kilometers (nine miles) north of the capital.