An investigation is underway after a fatal helicopter crash in Otago this morning.

The pilot was the only person on board the Eurocopter ‘Squirrel’ AS350 helicopter, which impacted terrain at Deep Creek, in Lammerlaw Range, about 10km north of Lawrence and 33km west of Dunedin, at about 6.20am.

The helicopter, understood to have been flying from its base in Milton to Alexandra, was reported overdue at 5.30am.

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ initiated a search and a team located the helicopter at 7.30am.

Police have withheld any details of the deceased, while family are informed.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has opened an inquiry.

Chief Investigator of Accidents, Harald Hendel, says TAIC is appealing for any witnesses.

"We are keen to hear from people who saw the accident or who saw or heard the helicopter on this early morning flight between Milton and the Lammerlaw Range – particularly if you have photographed or captured the flight on video."

Witnesses should email TAIC at [email protected].

The Commission has appointed a TAIC investigation team of three, who anticipate getting to the accident site tomorrow morning.

"The investigation team’s immediate evidence collection work is broad to support all avenues of inquiry. The initial focus is on gathering evidence that could disappear or change, such as the effect of weather on the wreckage."

To preserve the evidence, the commission has issued a Protection Order, prohibiting unauthorised access within a 200-metre radius of the main wreckage and/or unauthorised handling of any other wreckage or evidence relating to this accident.

"Over the coming days and weeks, TAIC's investigators will be recording the accident scene, recovering any remaining wreckage, securing electronic records – including photos, videos, and location data – and interviewing witnesses.

"We're interested in what people have to say, of course, particularly the helicopter's operator, and relevant professional and personal backgrounds of operational staff, what they knew, thought, experienced, and did.

"We'll be considering the helicopter itself, its individual and type history, performance and maintenance.

"The operating environment is also of interest, extending beyond the terrain and weather, to the operating company safety system, organisational culture, and regulatory matters."

The Transport Accident Investigation 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.