'I saw them spinning straight down': Two dead, one seriously hurt as small planes collide over New York woods

New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Capt. Joseph Tripodo said the planes left 'substantial wreckage' about 100 yards apart in the woods.

Twisted wreck: An aerial view showing one of the destroyed planes

He said: 'One plane burst into flames. It was so badly burned, we couldn't get any numbers off of the wreckage.'

He did not know whether the victims were the pilots of both planes and was unable to say how many people were in each aircraft.

Witness Pete Ewamciw of Greenville, New York, was driving his truck when he looked up just after the collision.

He said: 'I saw them tail spinning straight down. Then I saw a plume of black smoke.'

Local resident Rebekah Rochelle said she was in her vegetable garden when she looked up and saw two planes flying south.

The aftermath: Smoke fills the air shortly after the planes collided above a heavily wooded area

'One spiralled directly down, and the other was more at an angle over the hill.'

She said she immediately ran inside for cover from the metal debris raining down and called 911.