Small plane crashed just after taking off from London Southend Airport on Sunday, prompting authorities to close down the airport temporarily. All flights have been suspended as police, emergency services, and air accident investigators carry out investigations at the crash site.
The aircraft, which was a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, a 12-meter turboprop aircraft with medical equipment for the transport of patients was operated by Zeusch Aviation, a Dutch company.
During the day, the aircraft had transported passengers from Athens, Greece, to Pula, Croatia, and onward to Southend. It was meant to head back to Lelystad in the Netherlands later that evening.
Zeusch Aviation has confirmed that flight SUZ1 was in the accident and said, “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected,” adding that the company is supporting the investigation.
Eyewitness Share Details
Eyewitness John Johnson, who was at the airport with his family, said that he witnessed a ‘big fireball’ when the plane crashed. “It took off and within three or four seconds, it began to turn sharply to the left. Then it flipped and crashed head-first into the ground,” he said. Johnson further added that just seconds before takeoff, he and his family had waved at the pilots, who waved back.
A dramatic video posted on social media saw thick black smoke pouring out of the crash, obscuring the plane and leaving nothing visible.
Watch:
Beech B200 Super King Air passenger plane crashes at London Southend Airport in Essex at around 4pm on Sunday afternoon.
It was headed to the Netherlands. The jet can carry 13 passengers and two crew.
Ambulance crews and Essex Police are at the scene.https://t.co/jX1cYYBfKn
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) July 13, 2025
Essex Police said they received a report of a “serious incident” just before 4pm on Sunday. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there were casualties or injuries due to the crash.
