Plane Crashes Just After Takeoff at London Southend Airport

A medical-transport aircraft, a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air operated by Dutch firm Zeusch Aviation, crashed into a fireball moments after taking off from London Southend Airport at around 4 p.m. local time on Sunday. This serious incident prompted an immediate shutdown of airport operations and a large-scale emergency response

• Aircraft: Beechcraft B200 Super King Air (PH-ZAZ), medical-equipped turboprop

• Operator: Zeusch Aviation (Netherlands), flight SUZ1 to Lelystad, Netherlands 

• Time: Takeoff at ~15:48 BST, crash at ~16:00 BST 

• Behavior: sharply banked left, inverted, nose-first dive, erupting into a large fireball 

• Casualties: Number onboard, injuries, and fatalities remain unconfirmed; rescue ongoing 

• John Johnson (Billericay):

• It took off … about three or four seconds after takeoff, it started to bank heavily … inverted and crashed just headfirst … There was a big fireball.

  Dani Hill:

  I saw the huge fireball from my window. I’m still shaking like mad. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

• Golfers at Rochford Hundred Golf Club witnessed the fireball and rushed toward the wreckage, later evacuated by authorities

• Fire & Rescue: Four fire crews, off-road vehicles on site 

• Medical Units: Four ambulances, four Hazardous Area Response Vehicles (HART), three senior-paramedic cars, and an air ambulance deployed 

• Police Action: Essex Police led the cordon, evacuated the golf club, and advised the public to steer clear 

Southend Airport: All flights canceled or diverted; re-opening status pending investigation 

Passengers & Airlines: EasyJet flights diverted; travelers advised to contact their airlines for updates

• Aircraft Type: Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, 12 m turboprop, equipped for medical transport with capacity for ~8 passengers

• Registration: PH‑ZAZ, built 1994; serial number BB‑1478

• Operator: Zeusch Aviation, specializing in medical evacuations and organ transplant flights 

• Agencies Involved:

• Essex Police is the lead authority

• AAIB (Air Accident Investigation Branch) engaged in crash analysis 

• Focus Areas: flight data, pilot actions, plane maintenance history, weather conditions

• Timeline: Preliminary reports expected in weeks; a full inquiry to follow over months

• Takeoff is critical: Most small-plane crashes happen during early flight due to configuration or engine issues

• Medical flights complexity: Added equipment and mission profiles require precise maintenance

• Pilot training & checklist rigor: Ensuring protocols minimize human factors in emergencies

• Airport emergency readiness: Infrastructure, drills, and coordination critical to rapid response

The Southend Airport crash is a serious reminder of the dangers associated with small aircraft operations near regional airports. With emergency crews on high alert, ongoing investigation by Essex Police and AAIB, and airport operations suspended, the coming weeks will shed light on the cause. Meanwhile, aviation authorities, passengers, and regional airports alike must remain vigilant, ensuring that the lessons learned lead to improved safety protocols, pilot training, and infrastructure resilience.