A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at London Southend Airport in Essex, when a small passenger plane crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in a massive fireball. The aircraft, identified as a Beech B200 Super King Air, was en route to Lelystad in the Netherlands. Witnesses reported that the plane took off at approximately 3:48 p.m. local time and crashed just seconds later, creating a large plume of black smoke and flames visible from miles away.
John Johnson, who was at the airport with his family, recounted the harrowing scene: “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, rolled down the runway. It took off, and about three or four seconds after taking off, 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 head-first into the big fireball.
Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, with Essex Police and the East of England Ambulance Service arriving shortly after the crash. The airport was immediately closed, and nearby facilities, including the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club, were evacuated as a precaution. The local Member of Parliament, David Burton advise the public to avoid the area and allow emergency services to carry out their work.
The Beech B200 Super King Air is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft commonly used for passenger and cargo transport. The exact number of occupants on board at the time of the crash has not been confirmed. The incident has prompted an investigation by aviation safety authorities to determine the cause of the crash. As of now, no further details regarding the passengers or crew have been released.
This tragic event has cast a shadow over the local community, with residents and officials expressing their condolences and support for those affected. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have promised to provide more information as it becomes available.
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