Three men have died after two light planes collided midair over Sydney’s southwest.

Emergency crews responded to reports the planes collided about 11.50am on Saturday near Belimbla Park in Oakdale.

Police confirmed three men travelling in a Jabiru and a Cessna 182 aircraft have died.

The crash sites are covered by bushland near two flying schools –  Sydney Recreational Flying Club and Dave’s Flying School – and the Oaks Airfield.

The area is popular with trainee pilots and recreational flyers, local councillor Suzy Brandstater said.

“Recreational flying is very popular and this is probably one of the closest places to Sydney that you can do it,” she told AAP.

“A plane crash is spectacular and it’s horrific and I really also feel for community members who saw it.”

The Wollondilly Shire councillor said the accident was a “terrible shock”.

“It’s something you’re never going to forget – seeing two planes crash,” she said.

Authorities are urging the public to stay away as forensics and police rescue vehicles move around the area.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau will deploy a team to the crash sites to interview witnesses and collect air traffic control and flight tracking data, pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.

“Over coming days, investigators will undertake site mapping, examine the wreckage of both aircraft and recover any relevant components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” the safety regulator said.

They have urged any witnesses or anyone with footage of the planes in any phase of their flights to contact them.

In Queensland, two people suffered minor injuries on Saturday after a seaplane carrying five people crashed off the coast of Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays.

The occupants were picked up by tour boat operator the Ocean Explorer and taken to shore, where paramedics assessed them.