Five firefighting helicopters across Australia were grounded on Tuesday after one crashed into a dam in country Victoria.

The chopper’s crew, who have since been released from hospital with minor injuries, were forced to swim to safety after the crash at 7pm on Monday in remote Gippsland.

The aircrane had been fighting a fire in Gippsland when the crash occurred. Two pilots and an engineer were on board and Ambulance Victoria said the men received only minor injuries in the crash.

Kestrel Aviation managing director Ray Cronin, whose company manages the fleet, told the ABC the ground was a “precautionary measure” while the company interviewed the crew and determined a probable cause. He said the grounding was temporary.

“The Aircranes will return to service almost immediately,” Mr Cronin said.

The crews are with the aircraft ready to rejoin the fire fight in Victoria.”

He said while he did not want to pre-empt the outcome of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau’s (ATSB) investigation, he understood “the serviceability of the Aircrane” was good at the time of the crash.

“These environments are very challenging, very dynamic, and we are confident that the aircraft was performing normally up to the point of impact,” he said.

“[I’m] absolutely confident in the aircraft — they’re a workhorse, they’re a very reliable aircraft.”

The helicopter was one of 10 water bombers being used to contain the nearby Thomson Catchment Complex fires, which are burning just north of Mount Baw Baw.

Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said in a statement he “was grateful that the crew are safe”.

The three helicopter crew were forced to swim for safety. Photo: Channel Nine

Victoria has contracted 49 firefighting aircraft, including two US-designed Aircrane helicopters.

The Thomson Catchment Complex fires are thought to be the first blazes where night-time water bombing has been used, however it was still light when this crash occurred.

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

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau and WorkSafe have been notified.

-with AAP