A firefighting helicopter has crashed into a dam in eastern Victoria.

Two pilots and an engineer were on board the Aircrane when it crashed into a dam in the remote Gippsland region on Monday night.

The three men received only minor injuries in the crash and were able to swim to the edge of the dam, according to Ambulance Victoria.

The helicopter was one of 10 water bombers fighting fires just north of Mount Baw Baw.

The State Control Centre said Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp said he was “grateful that the crew are safe”.

“Contingency plans are being put in place to ensure Victoria has adequate aircraft coverage over the Thomson Catchment Complex fires and for the state,” he said in a statement.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and WorkSafe were notified after the incident.