Southend Airport Plane Crash: Airport Shut Indefinitely After Beech B200 Jet Erupts in Fireball Post Takeoff
Multiple Flights Cancelled | Emergency Response Underway | Investigation Launched
The Impressive TimesLondon- A small private aircraft crashed moments after takeoff at London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, triggering a large-scale emergency response and the indefinite shutdown of the airport. The aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft King Air B200, caught fire immediately after crashing, producing a massive fireball visible from nearby areas.
According to initial reports, the twin-turboprop plane crashed around 3:48 PM local time, just moments after taking off for Lelystad, Netherlands. Emergency services including Essex Police, fire crews, and the East of England Ambulance Service rushed to the scene. The airport has since been closed until further notice, and all flights have been suspended.
An official from Southend Airport confirmed via social media:
“We can confirm there has been a serious incident at London Southend Airport involving a general aviation aircraft. We are working closely with the authorities to manage the situation.”
The crashed aircraft has been confirmed as a Beech B200 Super King Air, a 12-metre US-manufactured turboprop plane operated by Zeusch Aviation, a Dutch firm based in Lelystad. Known for medical evacuation and private charter services, the plane was configured with eight luxury seats and a leather interior.
According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft had completed multiple international flights over the weekend, traveling between Lelystad, Memmingen (Germany), Athens (Greece), and Pula (Croatia), before flying to London.
Eyewitness John Johnson, who was at the airport with his family, described the final moments of the flight to The Independent:
“We waved at the pilots and they waved back. The aircraft lined up for departure, then took off. Seconds later, it banked sharply left, inverted, and crashed nose-first into the ground.”
The crash led to thick black smoke and fire engulfing the wreckage, prompting authorities to cordon off the site and evacuate surrounding areas.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander released a statement expressing concern, saying she is “closely monitoring the situation” and is in contact with aviation officials.
The Essex Police, in collaboration with the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), has launched an official probe into the crash. Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin confirmed that the crash has been declared a “serious incident”, adding:
“It’s crucial we gather every detail to understand the cause. We’re working with all partners on scene.”
A police cordon remains in place and is expected to be maintained at least through Monday as investigations continue.
As per the official website and media updates, all flights to and from Southend Airport have been cancelled. No statement has yet confirmed when operations might resume.
The crash has led to significant disruption in services, affecting at least five international flights.
Type: Twin-turboprop short-haul aircraft
Uses: Charter, medical evacuation, and freight transport
Capacity: Up to 20 passengers depending on configuration
Operator: Zeusch Aviation (Netherlands)
Registration: PH-ZAZ
Authorities are currently inspecting the wreckage and gathering evidence to determine the cause of the crash. Mechanical failure, pilot error, and weather conditions are all potential factors under examination.
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