Emergency at London Southend Airport: Small Plane Crashed and Burned
At nearly 4 pm on Sunday, July 13, a tiny aircraft collided with a runway and ignited a blaze at London Southend Airport. The incident triggered a large-scale emergency response and the evacuation of nearby facilities.
Report of the Incident
- Essex Police received initial alerts about a 12‑metre aircraft engulfed in flames at the airport in Southend‑on‑Sea.
- Police spokespersons stated that all emergency services are actively working at the scene and that operations will continue for several hours.
- They urged the public to steer clear of the area.
Fire Service Response
- Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene at 3:58 pm.
- Fire crews from Southend, Rayleigh Weir, Basildon, Billericay, and Chelmsford attended the site.
- Fire service spokespersons confirmed ongoing collaboration with aviation partners.
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Emergency Response at Southend Airport
Rapid Deployment of Medical Teams
- Four specialist crews were dispatched, comprising a rapid response vehicle, a hazardous area response team, and a senior paramedic.
- Teams were positioned to address the aircraft fire at Southend Airport.
Public Safety Precautions
- Police evacuated Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club as a precaution due to the fire’s proximity.
Flight Disruptions
- Flights to Alicante, Faro, and Palma de Mallorca from Southend Airport were cancelled.
- The information was confirmed by a passenger photo shared to the BBC.
Statements from Local Politicians
- David Burton‑Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, posted on X: “I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved.”
- Matt Dent, cabinet member for business, culture, music, and tourism at Southend City Council, wrote: “I am aware of the live serious incident ongoing at London Southend Airport. At present all I know is that a small plane has crashed at the airport. My thoughts are with all those involved, and with the emergency services currently responding to the incident.”
UPDATE on Southend Airport plane crash: Four confirmed dead
Tragic Accident at Southend Airport Claims Four Lives
Southend Airport is now closed after a cr‑ash involving a Beech B200 Super King Air that killed all four occupants. Essex Police confirmed the victims were foreign nationals, including two Dutch pilots and Chilean nurse Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz. The fourth individual’s nationality remains undisclosed.
Aircraft and Flight Details
- Model: Beech B200 Super King Air
- Operator: Zeusch Aviation (Dutch company)
- Flight Code: SUZ1
- Last Flight: Returned to the Netherlands after patient drop‑off
Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin described the moment the plane “got into difficulty” at 3:48 pm, spinning 180° before pulling high, then bending left and inverting within seconds of take‑off.
Eyewitness Report
John Johnson, who saw the crash with family, recounted:
“We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us. The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take‑off, powered up and rolled down the runway. It took off and about three or four seconds later it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed just headfirst into the ground.”
Reactor Response
Zeusch Aviation confirmed its aircraft was involved and said its thoughts are “with everyone who has been affected.”
Southend Airport Status
Southend Airport remains closed, with authorities working to investigate the cause and support affected families.
