Three people have died after a light plane crashed and caught on fire at Shellharbour Airport on Saturday.

About 10am, witnesses watched the Piper Cherokee Lance aircraft take off and get about 30 metres into the air.

"At that point, witnesses have described the aircraft has then dipped with its left wing coming down and contacting the tarmac," Lake Illawarra police district's chief inspector Aaron Wunderlich said.

"Unfortunately, the plane was then engulfed, and the three people that were on board have all been confirmed as deceased."

A number of people witnessed the crash, including Rural Fire Service crews who were conducting a training exercise at the airport. They immediately responded to the incident.

"I'd like to thank the emergency response, from ambulance to RFS - everyone

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