Police have released the names of the four people killed in a helicopter crash in the Kimberley.

A police spokesman said it was understood the helicopter was flown by 40-year-old Cristian Ion Catargiu of Rockhampton.

The three Kununurra women believed to have died are 19-year-old Jessica May Cousins, Whitney Michelle Dawn Pinney and Sarah Louise Thomas, both aged 20.

The bodies have not yet been positively indentified and forensic tests are expected to confirm their identities.

The Robinson 22 helicopter, operated by Heliworks Scenic Helicopter Flights, left the Bellburn airstrip about 1pm yesterday with three passengers.

Shortly after take off, the helicopter crashed into the Piccaninny Creek area and exploded.

The fire has been contained and the airstrip remains closed.

The nearby terrain is harsh and has hampered recovery operations.

Forensic police and disaster victim identification unit officers are on their way to the Kimberly to investigate the crash site.

The cause of the crash has yet to be determined and Transport Air Safety Australia officials will carry out an investigation which is expected to take a few days.

Former ironman and aviation businessman Grant Kenny is travelling to the crash site - his company Curry-Kenny Aviation Group bought the helicopter company in May this year.