The names of the three people who died after a plane crashed at at Shellharbour Airport on Saturday morning have been released.

Andrew Connors, who was the pilot, and his wife Julieanne, along with fellow passenger Colin McLachlan perished in the crash.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after an aircraft crashed around 10am at the southern end of the airport.

Officers from Lake Illawarra Police District were informed that a light aircraft crashed at the scene shortly after take-off.

Upon impacting with the ground, the aircraft caught on fire which was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW.

No other people were injured.

Federal MP for Whitlam Carol Berry issued a statement on Saturday evening after the victims had been identified and their families had been informed of the tragedy.

"The pilot and two passengers killed when their light aircraft crashed at Shellharbour Airport have been identified.

"The aircraft’s owner and pilot Andrew Connors, his wife Julieanne Connors, along with fellow passenger Colin McLachlan have tragically lost their lives.

"On behalf of everyone in the Whitlam electorate I offer condolences to the families and loved ones of the three victims of this tragedy.

"I would also like to acknowledge and thank all the first responders to this tragic accident, including those who were on the scene to assist from the HARS Museum."

The single-engine Piper aircraft had taken off for a flight to Bathurst and reportedly rose around 30 metres before it dipped and crashed into the tarmac.

Lake Illawarra Police District chief inspector Aaron Wunderlich described the crash site as "quite a gruesome scene".

"We've got several witnesses that were here, we had RFS on the scene for a training exercise ... also people at the HARS (Aviation) museum have witnessed it and we've got some CCTV that captures part of the incident.

“Unfortunately, the plane was engulfed.”

Recently elected Kiama MP Katelin McInerney issued a statement after the triple fatality.

The Shellharbour Airport is within the northern part of the Kiama state electorate.

"My thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved in the crash, as well as the dedicated first responders," she said.

Two of the victims are believed to be a husband and wife who were travelling to attend the Bathurst 1000 motor race this weekend.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has asked if any members of the public have footage of the incident to make contact via its website.

“Investigators will conduct a range of evidence-gathering activities including site survey with a drone, wreckage examination, and recovery of any aircraft components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” the ATSB said in a statement.

“Investigators will also seek to interview involved parties and witnesses, and collect relevant recorded information including flight tracking data, pilot and aircraft maintenance records, and weather information.

“The ATSB asks anyone with video footage of the aircraft prior to the accident to make contact via the witness form on our website: atsb.gov.au/witness at their earliest opportunity.”