A vintage World War II-era bomber aircraft has crashed at Bradley International Airport Connecticut. Credit: DVIDSHUB

A Second World War-era bomber aircraft has crashed while attempting to make an emergency landing at Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Connecticut in the US.

Bradley International Airport tweeted: “We can confirm that there was an accident involving a Collings Foundation World War II aircraft this morning at Bradley Airport. We have an active fire and rescue operation underway. The airport is closed. We will issue further updates as information becomes available.”

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The aircraft, which was carrying a total of 13 people, reported a problem five minutes into the flight.

According to Connecticut Airport Authority executive director Kevin Dillon, the aircraft lost control on the runway, crashing into a maintenance facility and tanks of de-icing fluid.

Names of the victims have not been released by the authorities.

According to local media reports, up to seven people have been killed in the accident, while six others have been hospitalised with injuries.

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The airport was closed soon after the crash and resumed operations after nearly three and half hours.

The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Collings Foundation, which operated the aircraft, is a nonprofit organisation that offers educational programmes on aviation history. It has a touring exhibition of antique aircraft called the Wings of Freedom Tour, which features five WWII aircraft.

In a statement, Collings Foundation said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were on that flight and we will be forever grateful to the heroic efforts of the first responders at Bradley.

“The Collings Foundation flight team is fully cooperating with officials to determine the cause of the crash of the B-17 Flying Fortress and will comment further when details become known.”