Four people have died after a Beechcraft B200 aircraft erupted into a “massive fireball” moments after take-off from London Southend Airport yesterday afternoon, with witnesses describing scenes of “pandemonium” as emergency services rushed to the burning wreckage.
The twin-engine aircraft, operated by Dutch medical evacuation specialist Zeusch Aviation, crashed at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday after banking sharply to the left and nose-diving into the ground just seconds after leaving the runway. The airport remains closed indefinitely whilst investigators work to determine the cause of the tragedy.
Essex Police confirmed they are working with the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) to establish what happened, as dozens of passengers found themselves stranded after all flights were cancelled.
Witnesses Describe Horror
John Johnson, 40, from Billericay, was watching planes with his family from a viewing area when disaster struck. The aircraft that crashed had just taxied to the runway past us and the other families. We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back,” he told reporters at the scene.
“The plane took off, and within a few seconds, it had a steep bank to its left. Then it turned into an inverted nosedive, almost, and it crashed into the ground in a big fireball. I don’t know how many people were onboard, I could only see the two pilots before they took off.”
Sunny Cook, 20, from Southend, was staying at the Holiday Inn overlooking the runway when he witnessed the crash. “There was smoke everywhere near the runway and I initially thought it was a grass fire,” he said. “But then I spotted wreckage and very soon after it was pandemonium. There were ambulances and other emergency services pulling in from everywhere.”
Medical Transport Aircraft
The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, registration PH-ZAZ, was equipped with medical systems for transporting patients. The 12-metre aircraft can accommodate up to nine passengers and two crew members. Authorities have not confirmed whether it was carrying a patient at the time of the crash.
Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, specialises in medical evacuation services, transplant flights and private charter operations. The company confirmed that its SUZ1 flight had been “involved in an accident” and stated it was “actively supporting the authorities with the investigation.”
“Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected,” the company said in a brief statement.
Emergency Response
Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin of Essex Police said emergency services faced a complex scene. “In these very early stages, it is vital we gather the information we need, and continue supporting the people of Essex,” he stated. We are working closely with all at the scene, as well as the Air Accident Investigation Branch, to establish what has happened today and why.
The East of England Ambulance Service deployed four ambulances, four Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars, a rapid response vehicle and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance to the scene. Fire crews from Southend, Rayleigh Weir and Basildon worked to extinguish the flames.
Essex Police established a dedicated online portal and phone line for witnesses and those seeking information. The public can contact 0800 0961011 or international callers can use 0207 1580126.
Political Response
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she was monitoring the situation closely. “I’m aware of the tragic incident at Southend Airport. My thoughts are with all those involved,” she posted on social media. The emergency services are on scene and are advising the public to avoid the area where possible.
David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, urged the public to stay away from the crash site. “Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved,” he wrote.
Flight Path Analysis
According to flight tracking data, the aircraft had completed flights from Athens to Pula, Croatia, earlier on Sunday before arriving at Southend. It was scheduled to return to Lelystad in the Netherlands that evening.
Witnesses reported the plane climbed to only about 175 feet before banking sharply left, flipping upside down and crashing nose-first near the edge of the runway. The entire sequence from take-off to impact lasted mere seconds.
Airport Closure Impact
The crash forced the immediate closure of London Southend Airport, with at least five international flights cancelled. EasyJet diverted two incoming flights to Gatwick and Stansted airports.
Oliver Zammit and Konnie Culshaw-Markham, both 19, were planning to travel to Malta in memory of Oliver’s father who died in September. My father was originally from Malta but died in September and it was our first trip back to see family,” Oliver told reporters. “It’s obviously disappointing we now have to go to Heathrow but we understand.”
Investigation Underway
The AAIB will lead the investigation, examining maintenance logs, weather conditions, pilot actions and potential mechanical failures. Aviation experts noted that the Beechcraft B200 Super King Air has a strong safety record, making the crash particularly concerning.
This marks the second crash involving a Beechcraft aircraft at Southend Airport, following a similar incident in 1987. Investigators are expected to release a preliminary report within weeks, with a full report potentially taking months depending on the complexity of findings.
As the community mourns, questions remain about what caused an apparently routine take-off to end in tragedy within seconds, claiming four lives in what witnesses described as scenes from “an aeroplane disaster movie.
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