Wanaka's Wallis family has been struck by a second helicopter tragedy in less than three months.

The Otago Daily Times understands pilot Nick Wallis was one of three people killed in a helicopter crash near Wanaka Airport this morning.

Today's crash comes less than three months after his brother and fellow pilot Matthew Timothy Wallis was killed in a helicopter crash.

The 39-year-old's body was discovered in the chopper wreckage at the bottom of Lake Wanaka, two days after the crash.

It is understood Nick Wallis was flying a leased Hughes 500 also carrying two Department of Conservation staff when it crashed today.

Department of Conservation staff have also been confirmed killed in a Wanaka helicopter crash.

Captain Tim Burfoot said the Civil Aviation Authority notified the Transport Accident Investigation Commission of the Hughes 500 helicopter crash accident this morning.

Burfoot told media today a team of four investigators who will start assessing the scene of the crash in the morning.

He said it was not clear what company was involved in the crash, but it was a Hughes 500 aircraft that crashed.

"We believe there was a fire involved when the helicopter crashed."

There are reports that Department of Conservation staff were believed to be onboard the helicopter, which was scheduled to travel to Haast for a cull of tahr (wild goats) on conservation land.

Lou Sanson, Doc's director-general, said he could not confirm if department staff were involved in the crash.

Burfoot said he can't confirm how many people were on board but said there were no survivors.

This evening the investigators will liaise with first responders. They will be out at first light to examine the scene, Burfoot said.

There have been "lots" of accidents with Hughes 500 choppers but there was nothing to flag concerns about the craft.

These helicopters are not known to be more dangerous than others, he said.

Police confirmed there were fatalities after the fiery helicopter crash near Wanaka Airport.

Flames and smoke could be seen coming from the wreckage.

An eye witness told the Herald that the crashed helicopter has "burnt right out."

"There's nothing left of it. Unbelievable."

He said the helicopter had crashed on DoC land alongside a private property.

"You can't get within a kilometre of it."

Alan McKay, who looks after a property next to the DoC land where the crash happened, said he followed emergency services to the site.

"We were only a kilometre away when the accident happened and we never heard a thing.

"I was on my way home and saw lots of flashing lights, so followed them down.

"It just looked like a camp fire, there was virtually nothing left.

"It didn't look like it was spread over a distance, it's a flat paddock, Doc land beside private property.

McKay said the weather was "perfect" and there was no breeze.

"I'd say it's just a very very unfortunate accident.

"It's a sad day for Wanaka.''

Otago Daily Times reporter Mark Price said he could see the crashed helicopter on a river flat about 100m from the Clutha River and a couple of kilometres from Wanaka Airport.

A police spokeswoman said a member of the public called emergency services shortly before 11am reporting smoke coming from the helicopter.

She did not know how many people were in the helicopter.

Burfoot said it believed the helicopter involved in the crash was a Hughes 500.

"We are in the early stages of gathering information about the aircraft, the circumstances and the people on board," Burfoot said.

"We are working with the emergency services currently on site, who have initial control of the scene."

The Commission was sending a four-person investigation team which was expected to arrive at the site this evening.

The Commission opens an inquiry when it believes the circumstances of an accident or incident have - or are likely to have - significant implications for transport safety, or when the inquiry may allow the Commission to make findings or recommendations to improve transport safety.

Today's crash comes less than three months after pilot Matthew Timothy Wallis was killed in a helicopter crash in the same area.

The 39-year-old's body was discovered in the chopper wreckage at the bottom of Lake Wanaka, two days after the crash.

Wallis was flying alone out of Wanaka, in a Robinson helicopter, on a 15-minute supply trip to lodge in the Minaret Bay area.

A St John spokesman said ambulances and two helicopters were called to the scene, located on Kane Rd in Hawea Flats, but had been stood down as they were not needed.

One helicopter landed at the crash scene, but had left.

Flames and smoke were evident prior to the arrival of emergency services, but little of the helicopter itself was visible.

Fire appliances, ambulances and a variety of vehicles from airport and helicopter related businesses were streaming to the scene, though it was apparent nothing could be done for those on board.

The area has now been cordoned off by police.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand member told the Otago Daily Times Luggate and Wanaka volunteer crews had been called.

Representatives from Wanaka Helicopters, Alpine Helicopters and Aspiring Helicopters declined to comment.