What started as a peaceful Sunday for plane watchers and families enjoying the view from a nearby hotel quickly turned into a devastating scene when a small aircraft exploded into flames shortly after takeoff at London Southend Airport.
The crash claimed the lives of four people and has left the airport closed indefinitely.
Small Jet Erupts in Flames Moments After Lift-Off
Just before 4pm, a twin-engine Beech B200 Super King Air operated by Zeusch Aviation took off from Southend Airport.
Within seconds, the plane began banking sharply to the left, lost control, and plunged to the ground in a fiery explosion.
According to Essex Police, the crash was reported as a “serious incident,” and it’s now confirmed that all four people onboard—two pilots and two passengers—lost their lives.
Horrified Onlookers Witness the Crash Unfold
Among the witnesses was Ben Guppy, who was enjoying the afternoon with his wife and 15-month-old daughter at the nearby Holiday Inn’s fifth-floor viewing lounge.
He described seeing the aircraft rise slightly before suddenly veering left, performing what he called a “handbrake turn” in the sky, and then spiraling downwards.
“It corkscrewed and slammed into the ground.
Then came the fireball. There was smoke everywhere,” he recalled.
His daughter was fortunately looking the other way when it happened.
His wife Jess was visibly shaken and in tears.
Guppy added, “We were 500 meters away, and it was just surreal.
We knew we couldn’t do anything, so we just had to get our daughter out of there.”
Golfers and Locals Rush Toward the Wreckage
The nearby Rochford Hundred Golf Club became a front-row witness to the disaster.
Golfers immediately abandoned their games and rushed toward the crash site, hoping to help.
A bartender at the course, James Philpott, described a sudden blast of heat before he even saw the flames.
“I looked up and saw this giant fireball in the sky, maybe 100 feet high. It hit me like I was in an oven,” he said.
Police temporarily evacuated the golf club and nearby Westcliff Rugby Club as a precaution, though officials later confirmed there was no immediate danger to those areas.
Heartbreak at the Airport as Families Watch in Horror
Another eyewitness, John Johnson from Billericay, had taken his children to the airport to see the planes.
He recalled waving at the pilots moments before the aircraft turned and began its takeoff roll.
“It took off and then started banking aggressively to the left.
In seconds, it flipped and went straight into the ground,” he said.
“We were all just stunned. Then came the fireball.”
Emergency Services Flood the Scene
Within minutes of the crash, emergency crews from across Essex—including Southend, Rayleigh Weir, and Basildon fire stations—arrived.
Special off-road units were deployed from Billericay and Chelmsford.
Four ambulances, several hazardous response teams, senior paramedic units, and air ambulances joined the efforts.
Police and fire officials coordinated the response as chaos settled over the scene.
Investigation Underway as Airport Remains Closed
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) immediately dispatched a team of specialists to begin determining what went wrong.
Their inquiry includes experts in aircraft operations, engineering, and human factors.
Early footage on social media shows thick black smoke billowing from the wreckage.
Zeusch Aviation, based in the Netherlands, confirmed the aircraft involved was their SUZ1 flight.
The plane had flown from Athens to Pula earlier in the day and was headed to Lelystad in the Netherlands after the Southend stop.
The company said it is cooperating with investigators and expressed deep sympathy for those affected.
Airport Faces Disruption as Flights Cancelled
In the aftermath, Southend Airport shut down all operations, canceling at least 22 flights on Monday, including services by easyJet and Eastern Airways.
A spokesperson for the airport said they are working closely with emergency teams and will reopen as soon as it is safe.
EasyJet confirmed that all affected flights had been either rerouted or cancelled.
Passengers are being advised to check for updates and make alternative arrangements.
Leaders Express Condolences as Community Reels
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander called the crash a “tragic incident” and said she is monitoring developments closely.
Local MP David Burton-Sampson also urged the public to avoid the area and let emergency services do their work.
The mood across Southend is somber as families and aviation enthusiasts grapple with what they witnessed.
Many have expressed sorrow for the victims and their families, with some sharing firsthand accounts of how the disaster unfolded right before their eyes.
Public Urged to Come Forward With Information
Essex Police have launched a dedicated online portal for anyone with information, videos, or photos related to the crash.
The investigation is ongoing, and the AAIB has stressed the importance of gathering as much evidence as possible to understand why the plane failed so catastrophically just moments into flight.
The crash has left a scar on the quiet Essex town, turning what was meant to be a relaxing summer Sunday into a day of horror.
As the investigation continues and the airport works to resume operations, thoughts remain firmly with the victims and their loved ones.
