A luxury aircraft has crashed shortly after takeoff at Southend Airport, killing all four people on board.
Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene as the Beechcraft B200 aircraft became engulfed in flames moments after leaving the runway just before 4pm on Sunday. Thick black smoke filled the sky as the twin-prop plane spiralled and crashed, sparking a major emergency response.
Emergency crews—including ten fire engines, ambulances, and police—raced to the scene, but there was nothing they could do to save the victims. The airport was quickly closed and nearby areas evacuated, with forensics and aviation experts launching a full investigation.
Witnesses Watched in Shock
Hotel guests and local residents were among those who witnessed the disaster unfold. John Johnson, who had been watching planes with his family, said: “The pilots waved at the kids as they taxied past. Then it just took off, tilted sharply to the left, and nose-dived. It was a fireball. It didn’t seem real.”
Others described the sound of the impact and the heat from the blaze. One bartender said he felt a wave of heat hit him as he saw flames erupt across the runway.
Some believed at first they were seeing a grass fire due to the hot weather. But as the wreckage became visible, panic set in. “It was chaos,” said one woman watching from a nearby hotel. “We saw it go down headfirst, then flames and smoke.”
Plane Linked to Dutch Medical Flight Operator
The aircraft, operated by Zeusch Aviation, had reportedly been equipped for medical transport. The Dutch company, based at Lelystad Airport, said the plane had been involved in an “accident” and confirmed it was cooperating with authorities.
FlightRadar24 data shows the plane had climbed only to around 175 feet before losing altitude and crashing. It had flown in from Croatia the day before.
Authorities have not confirmed whether any medical patients were onboard at the time.
Families Reeling from the Shock
Several passengers due to fly from Southend spoke of the sudden airport closure and the eerie scene of halted travel. Among them were 19-year-olds Oliver Zammit and Konnie Culshaw-Markham, who had been planning a memorial trip to Malta.
“My dad passed away last year,” said Oliver. “We were meant to visit his family. Now we’re just trying to get to Heathrow instead.”
Southend Airport issued a statement confirming all flights were cancelled until further notice. Passengers were urged to contact their airlines.
Investigation Underway
Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin of Essex Police said a full investigation was being carried out in partnership with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
“We know how distressing this is for the families affected and the wider community,” he said. “Our priority is understanding exactly what happened and ensuring the site is fully secure.”
Forensics teams remain at the scene, using thermal imaging equipment to determine how the fire started. The cause of the crash is not currently believed to be suspicious, but officials are still working to confirm the sequence of events.
Southend MP David Burton-Sampson said: “My thoughts are with everyone affected. Please give the emergency services the space they need to do their jobs.”
The airport remains closed, with ongoing support for those affected by the disruption.
