The Australian Antarctic Division is racing against time to rescue three people seriously injured in a helicopter crash on Monday morning.

The Squirrel helicopter made an emergency landing about 3:00am (AEDT).

The Antarctic Division's trying to find a site for a rescue plane to land, but weather conditions could delay the mission.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the crash.

The safety bureau's Julian Walsh says a rescue and salvage mission is underway.

"We'll obviously obtain maintenance documentation in relation to the helicopter and information about the weather conditions and those types of things," he said.

"But until we know a little but more about the actual circumstances of the accident, it's a little bit difficult to actually determine the more detailed lines of inquiry that our investigation is likely to take."

The helicopter was one of two returning to the station after surveying a penguin colony at Amery ice shelf.

The second helicopter landed near the crash site and its crew is looking after the injured people until medical support arrives.

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) says the group has adequate survival equipment and a tent has been set up to keep the injured warm.

Communication is being maintained with Davis Station.

The chopper is operated Helicopter Resources and is chartered by the AAD.