Southend-On-Sea — Southend Airport has suspended all operations after a plane burst into flames on Sunday afternoon, triggering a massive emergency response and grounding all flights until further notice.
The aircraft, a Beech B200 Super King Air, crashed shortly after takeoff, erupting into what eyewitnesses described as a “huge fireball.” The explosion sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, visible from miles away.
Essex Police confirmed it received a report of a 12-meter plane on fire at approximately 3:50 p.m. local time. Emergency crews including four ambulances and an air ambulance rushed to the scene. The extent of casualties remains unconfirmed.
Zeusch Aviation, based in the Netherlands, acknowledged the aircraft involved in the crash was operating as flight SUZ1. The company said the plane had flown from Athens to Pula in Croatia earlier in the day and was en route back to Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands via Southend.
“We are working closely with the relevant authorities and extend our thoughts to everyone affected by this incident,” Zeusch Aviation said in a statement.
John Johnson, a resident from Billericay, Essex, was at the airport with his family when the plane went down.
“You could see the pilots smiling as they taxied,” Johnson said. “It took off and immediately started banking hard left. Then it almost flipped and hit the ground. Within seconds, it exploded in a fireball.”
Nearby, James Philpott, a bartender at Rochford Hundred Golf Club, said he felt a blast of heat while on the course.
“I looked up and saw a massive fireball,” Philpott told the BBC. “People started running toward the scene to help. We were all in shock.”
People on the course were evacuated, though others in the clubhouse remained, as it was further from the crash site.
Pete Jones, chairman of Westcliff Rugby Club near the airport, said his venue, which had a 250-person event underway, was not evacuated. “Police later said we didn’t need to leave. We could see the smoke clearly about a kilometer from us.”
Essex Police are working with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to determine what went wrong. Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin urged the public to avoid speculation and report any information through official channels.
“In these early hours, our priority is collecting accurate information and supporting those affected,” Cronin said.
Flight data and eyewitness accounts suggest the aircraft veered sharply to the left shortly after takeoff raising concerns about a possible loss of engine power. Aviation safety experts pointed to similar past incidents involving this aircraft type, including one in Australia where throttle levers unexpectedly slipped, reducing engine power.
“This model is built to fly on one engine, but any imbalance at takeoff can become critical,” an aviation analyst told the press.
Southend Airport issued a notice that all departures and arrivals scheduled for Monday have been rerouted. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for updates.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged the incident and said she was receiving regular updates. “My thoughts are with all those involved,” she posted on X.
Local MPs David Burton-Sampson and Bayo Alaba expressed sympathy for the victims and praised emergency responders. “It really shook me,” Alaba said. “My heart goes out to those affected.”
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Authorities have not released details on the number of people onboard.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on determining what caused the crash and whether mechanical failure or human error played a role.
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