Aircraft Crashes Shortly After Take-Off
An air ambulance has crashed and burst into flames at the London Southend Airport, causing the emergency services to spring into action and leading to massive disruption. This took place on Sunday local time around 3.48 pm soon after take off. Being headed to Lelystad in the Netherlands, the Beech B200 Super King Air plane was flying. According to witnesses, there was a sighting of a fireball, and a lot of black smoke emanated from the crash site.
Registered PH-ZAZ with Zeusch Aviation, a Dutch medical evacuation and transplant flights company, was involved. The firm stated the crash on Sunday evening and is working with law enforcement officials in the investigation process.
A huge fireball erupted upon the plane’s crash
Witnesses Describe Tragic Scene
Families near the airport witnessed the jet crash headfirst into the ground. Onlookers reported seeing the pilots wave before the aircraft banked heavily left and inverted. “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us,” said witness John Johnson. “It took off and about three or four seconds later, it banked heavily to its left, then crashed head first into the ground. There was a big fireball.”
Mr Johnson said the experience shook his family and other witnesses. “All the kids saw it and the families saw it. I phoned 999, reported it,” he said.
James Philpott, working nearby at a golf course, felt an intense heatwave before seeing the fire. “There was just a massive fireball basically 100 foot in the sky,” he told the BBC. “It was more the heat really just kind of hit me.” He described the reaction as shocked and confused.
Crazy footage from the golf course, on which the plane taking off from Southend London airport appeared to crash.pic.twitter.com/d79o8xff8O
— Phil (@phil_from_NG) July 13, 2025
Emergency Response Launched
Essex County Fire and Rescue received calls at 3.58pm and responded with multiple crews. Essex Police confirmed the crash involved a 12-metre-long plane. A cordon remains around the crash site and will stay in place until Monday. East of England Ambulance Service also attended the scene.
Essex Police said: “We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours. We would please ask the public to avoid this area.”
Southend Airport immediately suspended all operations. EasyJet cancelled all flights scheduled for Sunday evening to Paris, Alicante, Faro, and Palma de Mallorca. The airport remains shut until further notice.
Plane crashes at London’s Southend Airport… massive fireball witnessed.
No confirmed word yet on casualties or injuries.
And Top leaders already gearing up to blame pilots… as always.
— Divya Gandotra Tandon (@divya_gandotra) July 13, 2025
Aircraft Details And Prior Routes
The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air is a US-built twin-turboprop aircraft, often used for charter and medical flights. It can carry up to 20 people, though the exact number on board has not been confirmed.
According to Flightradar, the aircraft flew earlier from Athens to Pula in Croatia. It then continued to London Southend before the fatal crash while departing for the Netherlands. The plane had been configured as a private medical aircraft with a luxury interior.
Zeusch Aviation stated: “We can confirm that Zeusch Aviation flight SUZ1 was involved in an accident today at London Southend Airport. We are actively supporting the authorities with the investigation. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.”
Details of the plane involved in the crash [Source: X]
Community And Political Reactions
Senior MP David Burton-Sampson of the area appealed to the locals not to go near the location. “Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved,” he posted on X.
The London Southend Airport issued a statement claiming that the incident was severe and the airport was ready to provide its help to local authorities. It added that together with local authorities, it is closely cooperating and is awaiting more information as soon as it can be provided.
Also Read: Air India Plane Crash Report Reveals Fuel Cut-Off Mystery as Families Demand Answers
Investigations Underway
The air accident has triggered a joint investigation between the aviation officials and the local emergency. The basic reason cannot be identified. Authorities have not revealed number of people killed or injured.
A group of investigators and aviation specialists will analyse the data of flights, maintenance, and eyewitness reports. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch will take the leading role in the investigation.
Flight Operations Remain Suspended
As the investigation unfolds, Southend Airport has suspended all incoming and outgoing flights. The closure affects domestic and international carriers. Airport authorities have not provided a timeline for reopening.
Passengers scheduled to fly from Southend are advised to contact airlines directly for updates. Further information will be released by authorities as the situation develops.
