Washington  - Seven passengers died when a small plane crashed in the state of Minnesota on Thursday, US aviation authorities confirmed.

The plane, operated by the East Coast Jet air taxi service, crashed at the end of a runway while trying to land in the city of Owatonna, said Diane Spitaliere, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration.

There were reports of severe weather in the region, Spitaliere said. The plane departed from Atlantic City, New Jersey. (dpa)