A small business jet crashed at London Southend Airport in Essex on Sunday afternoon, unleashing a massive fireball and thick black smoke visible across the region. The incident, which occurred just before 4 p.m. local time, involved a 12-meter Beech B200 Super King Air en route to Lelystad, Netherlands, according to Essex Police. Emergency services, including four ambulances, fire crews, and an air ambulance, rushed to the scene, with authorities describing the situation as a “serious incident” requiring hours of response efforts.
Witnesses reported a loud explosion, with unverified images circulating on social media showing flames and a plume of black smoke rising from the crash site near the runway. “I saw the huge fireball from my window. I’m still shaking,” said Dani Hill, a local resident, to Your Southend. The plane, operated by Zeusch Aviation for medevac and charter flights, had arrived from Pula, Croatia, earlier that day, per flight tracking data.
Flight Disruptions and Evacuations Underway
The crash prompted the cancellation of at least five international flights, including easyJet services to Paris, Alicante, Faro, Palma de Mallorca, and Malaga, according to London Southend Airport’s website. Two incoming flights from Gran Canaria and Faro were diverted to Gatwick and Stansted airports. The airport, a hub for easyJet’s 122 weekly flights, issued a statement: “We can confirm a serious incident involving a general aviation aircraft. We are working closely with local authorities.”
As a precaution, Essex Police evacuated nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club due to their proximity to the crash site, where a golf match was abandoned near the 14th tee. Flightradar data showed the plane reaching just 175 feet before crashing seconds after takeoff at 3:55 p.m., 10 minutes behind schedule. The cause remains under investigation, with no details yet on passengers or casualties.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “absolutely tragic,” with one resident at the Holiday Inn viewing deck telling Metro: “The plane banked left abruptly at 100 meters and descended headfirst, bursting into flames.” Another, John Johnson from Billericay, said he waved at the pilots moments before the crash. Southend West MP David Burton-Sampson urged the public to avoid the area, stating, “My thoughts are with everyone involved.” Councillor Matt Dent echoed similar sentiments.
Essex County Fire and Rescue deployed crews from Southend, Rayleigh Weir, and Basildon, with off-road vehicles assisting in the response. The East of England Ambulance Service sent four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, hazardous area response teams, and an air ambulance. Authorities have closed the airport, with no air traffic control services available, and investigations into the crash’s cause are set to begin once the site is secured.
