The Colgan Air flight from Newark, New Jersey was just 10 kilometres from its destination at Buffalo in New York state when it crashed.
The Bombadier turboprop smashed into a house near Buffalo and burst into flames.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration says there were no survivors among the 48 passengers and crew on board.
At least one person on the ground was also killed.
Witnesses have been describing the moments before the impact.