JOLIET (Illinois) - OFFICIALS said two people are dead after a plane crashed at an airport in suburban Chicago.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Elizabeth Isham Cory said there were two fatalities and 'an aircraft that burned' in the crash at Joliet Regional Airport late on Thursday.

Joliet Park District executive director Dominic Egizio said the crash occurred at about 9pm (10am Singapore time). The district operates the airport.

Mr Egizio said the skies were clear at the time of the crash. He said the plane was likely a two to four-seater.

Ms Cory said her agency would participate in an investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board. She said investigations typically take weeks. -- AP