A serious incident took place at London’s Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, where a small plane crashed just after take-off, creating a huge fireball and causing the airport to shut down until further notice. Emergency services immediately rushed to the scene, including fire brigades, police, and ambulances.
The accident occurred around 3:48 PM, when the Beech B200 Super King Air aircraft took off from Southend Airport. Within minutes, the plane went down and caught fire. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the crash site, and photos from the location showed a disturbing view of flames and destruction.
What is Known So Far:
The aircraft was a Beech B200 Super King Air, a US-manufactured plane that can carry over 20 passengers. It is commonly used for charter flights, freight transport, and sometimes even medical evacuation missions.
According to Flightradar, the plane was scheduled to fly from Southend Airport to Lelystad, Netherlands. Earlier that same day, it had flown from Athens to Pula Airport in Croatia, then headed to London before this tragic crash.
Emergency Response:
As soon as the crash was reported, police and emergency teams arrived at the scene. The East of England Ambulance Service sent four ambulances and several emergency vehicles. Fire crews also worked hard to control the fire caused by the crash. The exact number of people on board the plane has not been confirmed yet, and casualty details are still unknown.
About the Plane:
The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air is a twin-turboprop aircraft, popular for short-haul flights and sometimes for critical medical transfers. It can fly at high speeds and is known for its safety and reliability.
Interestingly, Zeusch Aviation, the company that owns the plane, had recently posted about using this aircraft to transport a critical care patient from Jersey to Scotland. This shows how the aircraft was also used for noble medical purposes.
Company Statement:
Zeusch Aviation confirmed the crash in an official statement, saying “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 and will provide updates on this page as more information becomes available.”
What’s Next?
The airport is currently closed as investigators try to find the cause of the crash. All flights have been cancelled or diverted. Authorities are working with aviation experts and the airline company to investigate what went wrong. This accident has left many in shock, especially since the plane was also used for life-saving missions in the past. Until more details come out, passenger safety, technical failure, or pilot error are all possible causes being looked into.
Sum Up:
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this heartbreaking incident. As the investigation continues, further updates will help bring more clarity about the reason for the crash and the status of those on board.