A Netstar helicopter crashed and burst into flames killing its two occupants at Rand Airport in Johannesburg on Saturday morning, said the airport's managing director.

"Apparently the helicopter took off and the lady pilot picked up some problems.

"Some people who saw it said she got (the helicopter) under control and she went between some hangars and the rotor blades got caught on one of the hangars and it (the helicopter) hit the tar," said Rand Airport managing director Anton Kruger.

The helicopter, which was responding to a stolen car case, had just been filled with fuel and it burst into flames, Kruger said.

The accident happened just before 10am.

Airport emergency services, paramedics and the police were on the scene. The Civil Aviation Authority was also expected to investigate.