The Piper PA 28 crashed while on approach to Republic Airport in Farmingdale at about 3pm US time (7am AEDT), according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
It was not immediately known how many people were on board or if there were any injuries or fatalities, officials said.
The airport is about 32 kilometres east of New York City.
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Suffolk County Police said they closed a local road because of the crash.
A person posted pictures on social media showing black smoke rising over homes on a suburban street.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
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