Both pilots are thought to have been killed on impact. Witnesses have described the moment the two planes crashed with a massive bang before debris spiraled out of the sky and burst into flames on the ground.

One plane reportedly was approaching Hood Aerodrome after four people had successfully dived. It collided with the second light plane, from the Wairarapa Aero Club, at 11.13am local time.

The planes hit the ground close to a house about 100m apart before bursting into flames. Residents immediately rushed to help but both pilots were already dead, police said at a press conference.

"The impact was very severe. Both planes dropped immediately after the impact and most likely both pilots were killed, very unfortunately and tragically, at that impact," police said.

ILKHA