A small plane crashed at London Southend Airport on Sunday. The airport, located about 72 kilometers east of London, confirmed on social media that there had been a "serious incident" involving a general aviation aircraft.
Essex Police said they were alerted just before 4 pm local time and described it as a "serious incident." They added, as cited by the news agency Associated Press, "We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours."
British media reported that the aircraft was a medical transport jet, a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, equipped with systems designed for patient transport and en route to the Netherlands.
Photos shared on social media showed fire and thick black smoke rising from the crash site. The aircraft involved in the incident is said to be 12 meters long.
Witness John Johnson, who was at the airport with his family, said he saw a “big fireball” after the plane “crashed head first into the ground.” “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 ground," he said, as quoted by AP. “There was a big fireball", he added.
Johnson also recalled that before the crash, he and his family had waved at the pilots. “They all waved back at us,” he said, adding that the airport’s fire service responded immediately with two fire engines, followed by local police, ambulance and fire services.
Details about how many people were on board or where the plane was going have not yet been shared.
As a safety measure, police evacuated a nearby golf club and rugby club because of their closeness to the crash site.
Local MP David Burton-Sampson urged people to avoid the area and allow emergency services to operate. “My thoughts are with everyone involved,” he said.
According to the airport’s website, all flights to and from the airport have been cancelled until further notice
🚨 BREAKING: A jet has just crashed at London Southend Airport, causing a MASSIVE fireball
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 13, 2025
No word on casuaIties
Pray for those on board! https://t.co/gOS7FSF5nS
Essex Police said they were alerted just before 4 pm local time and described it as a "serious incident." They added, as cited by the news agency Associated Press, "We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours."
We can confirm there has been a serious incident at London Southend Airport this afternoon involving a general aviation aircraft. We are working closely with the local authorities and will be able to provide more information as soon as possible.
— London Southend Airport (@SouthendAirport) July 13, 2025
British media reported that the aircraft was a medical transport jet, a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, equipped with systems designed for patient transport and en route to the Netherlands.
Photos shared on social media showed fire and thick black smoke rising from the crash site. The aircraft involved in the incident is said to be 12 meters long.
Witness John Johnson, who was at the airport with his family, said he saw a “big fireball” after the plane “crashed head first into the ground.” “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 ground," he said, as quoted by AP. “There was a big fireball", he added.
Johnson also recalled that before the crash, he and his family had waved at the pilots. “They all waved back at us,” he said, adding that the airport’s fire service responded immediately with two fire engines, followed by local police, ambulance and fire services.
Details about how many people were on board or where the plane was going have not yet been shared.
As a safety measure, police evacuated a nearby golf club and rugby club because of their closeness to the crash site.
Local MP David Burton-Sampson urged people to avoid the area and allow emergency services to operate. “My thoughts are with everyone involved,” he said.
According to the airport’s website, all flights to and from the airport have been cancelled until further notice
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