MANCHESTER, England, July 13 – London Southend Airport in Essex has shut down operations indefinitely after a small aircraft crashed in a fiery incident shortly after takeoff on Sunday afternoon. The crash led to the immediate cancellation of all inbound and outbound flights, leaving travelers stranded and emergency responders scrambling to contain the aftermath.
The accident occurred just before 4 p.m., when a 12-meter-long aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft B200, took off from the runway but encountered severe trouble moments later. Witnesses say the aircraft appeared unstable after takeoff, tilting to its left before crashing headfirst and erupting into flames.
Plane Lost Control Seconds After Takeoff
Eyewitnesses at the scene described a harrowing moment when what seemed like a routine departure turned into a catastrophe. John Johnson, a visitor at the airport with his family, shared his account: “We were all waving at the pilots, and they waved back at us. The plane powered up, rolled down the runway, and took off smoothly at first. But within three or four seconds, it started banking hard to the left, flipped, and then dove into the ground.”
According to aviation data, the aircraft lifted off at approximately 3:48 p.m. and was headed to Lelystad, a city in the Netherlands. The Beechcraft, which was operated by the Dutch company Zeusch Aviation, was a medically equipped aircraft used for specialized missions such as organ transplant transport and patient evacuation. Zeusch Aviation confirmed that its plane, listed as flight SUZ1, was the one that crashed at Southend.
Zeusch Aviation released a statement expressing deep concern: “We are fully cooperating with local authorities to investigate the accident. We extend our sympathies to all those impacted and will share further details as they are confirmed.”
At this time, it remains unclear whether the aircraft was carrying a patient or conducting a medical evacuation. Details about the number of people on board and their condition have not been officially confirmed. The severity of the crash and resulting fire has made identification and recovery efforts difficult.
Emergency Response and Airport Impact
Emergency response teams, including police, fire crews, and medical units, were deployed swiftly to the crash site. Essex Police confirmed they were called to reports of an aircraft collision shortly before 4 p.m., and a coordinated response was launched involving multiple services. Authorities have advised the public to avoid the area as operations remain active.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service dispatched four crews and additional off-road vehicles to manage the fire and secure the site. Four ambulances, four hazardous area response teams, and an air ambulance also responded to the scene to provide urgent medical assistance and support.
Eyewitnesses described seeing heavy smoke and a large fireball erupt as the plane struck the ground. Images and footage shared online captured the scene shortly after the crash, with emergency crews gathered around the burning debris.
For safety reasons, surrounding locations were briefly cleared, including Rochford Hundred Golf Club because of its closeness to the airport. Local authorities emphasized that safety remains the top priority while investigations continue.
In a social media post, a local resident recounted the tragic moment: “Just witnessed a Beechcraft crash on takeoff at Southend airport, minutes after another plane had left the runway. It was devastating. We had just waved to the pilots seconds before.”
A local Member of Parliament also acknowledged the event, urging the public to stay away from the area and allow emergency responders to carry out their work. “My thoughts are with everyone involved,” he stated.
As of Sunday evening, all flights scheduled to depart or arrive at London Southend Airport were cancelled. The airport’s website indicated five international departures had already been called off. Airlines were working to either reroute passengers or provide further information regarding future flights.
One major carrier announced that all of its flights to and from Southend had been either diverted to nearby airports or were unable to operate due to the incident.
In a public update, London Southend Airport said, “We have closed our operations until further notice. All passengers scheduled to travel on Monday are advised to contact their airline for further information and guidance. We are doing everything possible to resume operations safely and will provide updates as more details become available.”
The cause of the crash is still under investigation and has not been identified at this time. An official investigation is now underway, involving aviation accident specialists and law enforcement agencies. The full extent of the damage, both human and material, remains uncertain, and further information is expected as recovery efforts proceed.