Wreckage strewn about here at the scene of a deadly plane crash.

Eight people were killed on Saturday when two small planes collided midair around 30 kilometres north of the German city of Frankfurt.

A police spokesperson said four young children were among the dead.

Officials added that investigations were underway, though were proving difficult since debris was scattered across hundreds of metres of a snow-covered field.

It wasn't immediately clear where the planes were coming from or where they were headed.

Authorities said weather conditions at the time of the accident were ideal.

The identities of the victims had not yet been confirmed.