The FBI said Thursday it was considering whether to launch an investigation into an alleged incident on a private jet carrying US actor Brad Pitt and his children.

In a statement, the FBI confirmed it was aware of allegations involving an "aircraft carrying Mr Brad Pitt and his children."

"The FBI is continuing to gather facts and will evaluate whether an investigation at the federal level will be pursued," it added.

US website TMZ had earlier reported that Los Angeles police were investigating the alleged Sept 14 incident, in which it said 52-year-old Pitt had verbally and physically abused his children.

But the LAPD confirmed to dpa that they were not investigating.

Any airborne incident falls under the jurisdiction of the FBI, not the police department.

Pitt's wife, Angelina Jolie, filed for divorce from the actor on Monday citing irreconcilable differences and has asked for custody of the couple's six children, three of whom are adopted.

- dpa