London Southend Airport in Essex was temporarily closed to air traffic on Sunday afternoon following a dramatic plane crash. A small Beechcraft B200 aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff, triggering a full-scale emergency response at the airport.
Eyewitnesses reported that the plane banked sharply to the left just seconds after lifting off, then flipped almost upside down before crashing into the ground. A massive explosion followed the impact, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
John Johnson, who witnessed the crash, said: “The plane lifted off and immediately banked hard to the left. Within seconds, it nosedived and hit the ground. Then there was a huge fireball.”
Essex Police stated they received the first emergency call about the incident at around 4:00 p.m. Emergency services were swiftly dispatched to the scene, and officials warned that the response would take several hours. The public was urged to avoid the area.
The crashed aircraft belonged to Dutch-based Zeusch Aviation, a company specialising in medical evacuation and patient transport. The company confirmed the plane was on a mission under the flight code SUZ1, but it remains unclear how many people were on board or whether a patient was being transported.
According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft took off at 3:48 p.m. and was bound for Lelystad in the Netherlands. It is not yet confirmed whether the flight was carrying out a medical mission.
Multiple ambulances, hazardous area response teams, and an air ambulance were deployed to the crash site. Rochford Hundred Golf Club, located nearby, was also evacuated as a precaution.
Commenting on the incident on social media platform X, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, David Burton-Sampson, said:
“Please stay away from the area and allow the emergency crews to do their jobs. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident.”
Southend Airport officials confirmed that all flights were suspended following the crash and advised passengers to contact their airlines directly. EasyJet announced that all its flights had either been cancelled or diverted to alternative airports.
The cause of the crash has yet to be determined. The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and relevant aviation authorities have launched a full investigation.
