CARACAS - Two military airplanes on Thursday collided in midair at the Libertador Air Base in Palo Negro, the Venezuelan state of Aragua, killing one of the pilots, a government official said.

Preliminary reports said the collision took place at noon local time while the two planes were practicing for an air show scheduled for November 27.

Minister of Communication and Information Ernesto Villegas later confirmed the death of a pilot via Twitter.

"Unfortunate incident in rehearsals of aerial parade for Military Aviation Day. A brave pilot died. Official information soon," the minister posted on the social networking site.

The accident involving the two military Bronco OV10 aircraft occurred about 100 kilometers west of the capital Caracas.

The President of the National Assembly Diosdado Cabello, speaking at an official function, said "condolences (for) today's accident of two planes. Our sorrow, our words of grief."

Several national news sources reported three soldiers were also injured in the crash.