The 36-year-old Goulburn man who died in a helicopter crash near Tallong on Wednesday has been named as Nicolaas Brink.

Mr Brink had been employed with Hughes Helicopters as a flight training instructor and was described by those who knew him as very thorough in his job and one of the company's "proteges."

The company said in a statement to Nine News that they were "overcome with sadness by the loss of our much-beloved colleague."

Mr Brink was born in South Africa. It's not known how long he'd been working for the company and living in Goulburn. The Post understands he was married with a young child.

Experienced helicopter pilot Neil Hughes founded the company in 2017, according to its website. It is based at Goulburn where Mr Hughes also lives.

The 54-year-old Victorian man he was training has been named as recently elected Moama Shire councillor, Andrew Goldman. He was also a businessman based in Yarrawonga.

The Robinson R44 Raven model aircraft which they were flying was one of two owned by Hughes Helicopters.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

UPDATE 6PM THURSDAY

Police recovered the bodies of two men killed in a helicopter crash near Tallong between 2.30pm and 3pm on Thursday afternoon.

Family members were present as officers emerged from the crash scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie said Polair was able to drop eight of his officers and two Australian Transport Safety Bureau investigators close to the site this morning.

"Polair managed to find a suitable spot to land and their efforts today have assisted us in doing our work very quickly and effectively," he said.

"It was fairly warm down there and crews had to work hard to complete their examination of the scene and recover the two men."

They have not been formally identified. However the 54-year-old man, the trainee on board was from Victoria.

The 36-year-old instructor was a Goulburn man, who had more than 650 hours flight instruction experience. He was described as "a lovely man" by those who knew him.

He worked with Hughes Helicopters at Goulburn Airport. The owner was too upset to speak to The Post.

Chief Inspector Bernie said while yet to be confirmed, he believed the aircraft left the airport between 3pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday afternoon. It was reported missing at 6.45pm.

Asked about the difficulty of the search, he said it was hard on police and other emergency services, "but nothing compared to what the families of the two men are going through."

"They are understandably distraught and wanting answers. Hopefully the investigation will give them the closure they need."

UPDATE 5PM THURSDAY

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has begun an investigation into the accident.

According to the ATSB the pilot and instructor on board were fatally injured and the helicopter was destroyed by fire.

The report states the bureau is in the evidence collection phase of the investigation which will include examining the wreckage, interviewing any witnesses, and reviewing operational, maintenance and airworthiness data.

Should any safety critical information be discovered at any time during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify operators and regulators so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken.

The ATSB investigation report states that the incident occurred around 4:30pm on December 2, 30km east of the Goulburn Airport near Marulan South.

According to the ATSB the operator was Hughes Helicopters, and a training operation was being conducted before the helicopter collided with terrain.

UPDATE 11:40am THURSDAY

A 36-year-old Goulburn flight instructor was one of two men killed in a helicopter crash near Tallong, police have confirmed.

He was instructing a 54-year-old Victorian man on a training flight, which had left Goulburn airport on Wednesday afternoon.

Addressing media from the search base, Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie described the fatalities as a terrible tragedy.

"It's a terrible time for the family and we extend our condolences to the family and friends of the pilot," he said.

Next of kin have been notified of the men's death.

Rescuers found their bodies after a difficult search in dark and foggy conditions on Wednesday night.

Chief Inspector Bernie said the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre was advised at 6.45pm that the Robinson R44 Raven Helicopter had not returned to Goulburn Airport from where it had taken off earlier.

Police were notified a short time later and two rescuers entered the Shoalhaven Gorge in Morton National Park. Six police officers at the site were also joined by SES and RFS personnel.

"Due to the inclement weather, the search was inhibited," Detective Chief Inspector Bernie said.

Police found the wreckage and the men's bodies nearby at 12.30am close to the Shoalhaven River. They were unable to retrieve them due to the conditions and terrain.

On Thursday at about 11am, Police Airwing dropped two police rescue officers nearer the site. They will retrieve the men's bodies today and a scientific investigation of the site will be commenced.

Five specialist police are currently at the rescue site.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau was also due to arrive on scene on Thursday to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

It was too early to hypothesise on the cause, Detective Chief Inspector Bernie said.

While yet to be confirmed, he believed the 36-year-old instructor had 670 hours of flight instruction hours on his log. The trainee had 40 hours flying experience.

The flight school was based in Goulburn.

Inspector Bernie appealed to anyone in the community who heard anything unusual in the area from 3.30pm to 6.45pm to contact police.

UPDATE 8.45AM:

Rescuers had to abort operations last night due to foggy conditions.

The site remains a crime scene and council staff have been called on to clear a path in the Long Point Lookout area.

***

Two people have died after a helicopter crashed near Tallong late yesterday

Police said at about 6.45pm Wednesday, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) received information about a missing aircraft last seen east of Marulan.

It had taken off earlier from Goulburn Airport on a training flight.

Police from The Hume Police Area Command, Police Rescue and Bomb Disposal Unit, NSW Police Ambulance Paramedics, Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service commenced a search in rugged bushland near Tallong.

READ MORE: Authorities search for crashed helicopter near Tallong

The search was coordinated from Long Point Lookout and emergency service personnel walked several hours into rugged bushland in the Shoalhaven Gorge.

The crash site was located about 12.25am by NSW Police Rescue personnel and the bodies of two people were located near the wreckage. They have not been formally identified.

Police could not say where the men were from.

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Once the recovery is completed, investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) in conjunction the NSW Police Force, will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Police will prepare a brief for the information of the Coroner.

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