A hang glider practising for a major championships event died on Saturday after crashing east of Merredin.

Police say the hang glider - a 50-year-old man - crashed into a paddock near the intersection of Logan and Warralakin Roads about 50km north east of Merredin about 4pm.

The man died at the scene and he was the only occupant of the hang glider.

Police say the man was practising for the WA hang gliding championships which are to be held on Sunday.

Merredin Police in conjunction with the Hang Gliding Federation of Australia will conduct an investigation into the cause of the crash and a report will be prepared for the coroner.