A pilot has been killed in a bizarre accident involving two light planes at Parafield Airport, north of Adelaide.

The 62-year-old man from Wattle Park was outside the aircraft on the tarmac at the time of incident.

Police believe he was struck by the moving plane, which then crashed into another aircraft parked nearby.

No-one was inside either plane at the time.

Both are single-engine aircraft — a Cessna and a Piper.

Emergency services rushed to the scene about 4:00pm.

A worker at the nearby Adelaide Warbirds flight business was first on scene.

He told the ABC he heard a large bang and rushed to provide assistance, but there was nothing he could do to assist the victim.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

The Air Transport Safety Bureau will attend the scene on Monday to investigate the circumstances of the crash.