Flames Erupt As Medevac Plane Collapses at Southend

A medical‑transport turboprop crashed head‑first into the ground seconds after leaving London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, sparking a towering fireball and thick black smoke that engulfed the runway area. Eyewitnesses say the Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, operated by Dutch firm Zeusch Aviation, flipped as it banked sharply and inverted moments after take‑off, en route to Lelystad, the Netherlands.

Essex Police and air investigators have cordoned off the scene, working alongside the Air Accident Investigation Branch. Authorities received the alert just before 4 p. m. local time, with emergency crews—including fire engines, ambulances, air rescue units, and hazardous‑area responders—swiftly overcoming the blaze and securing the perimeter. Nearby facilities, including Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club, were evacuated as a safety precaution.

London Southend Airport, approximately 72 km east of central London, announced a complete suspension of flight operations until it is safe to resume. EasyJet has re-routed or cancelled all services originating from the airport. Local MP David Burton‑Sampson urged people to steer clear of the area to allow the emergency response team to work unimpeded and offered his condolences.

Witness John Johnson, who was preparing for departure with his family, recalled the harrowing scene: “About three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds … it inverted and crashed just head‑first into the ground. There was a big fireball.” He and his family had waved to the pilots, who returned the gesture seconds before disaster struck.

Zeusch Aviation, which specialises in medevac and organ‑transplant missions, confirmed its flight SUZ1 was involved and is fully cooperating with investigators. The aircraft had earlier landed from Pula, Croatia, and was scheduled to continue its journey to Lelystad. Configured for medical evacuation, the B200 measures roughly 12 m in length and features systems for patient transport.

Emergency services responded with significant force. The East of England Ambulance Service dispatched four ambulances, rapid‑response units, four Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, and the air ambulance. Fire crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue raced to contain the blaze.

As of now, the total number of people aboard and their condition remain unknown. No confirmation has been given regarding patients being on board during the flight. Air Accident Investigation Branch teams, together with Essex Police, have launched a full inquiry. A police cordon remains in place overnight, and authorities have asked the public to avoid the airport precinct.

Travel disruption continues, with passengers urged to check directly with their airlines. While Southend hopes to resume flight operations swiftly, officials emphasise that full access will only be restored once aircraft recovery, site safety, and forensic inspections are complete.

This marks a serious aviation incident for the UK. Preliminary flight‑tracking data indicates the crash occurred mere seconds after takeoff at 3:48 p. m., following a climb and a sudden banking manoeuvre that preceded the catastrophic descent.

Authorities are mobilising crews across multiple agencies to piece together the sequence of events leading to the crash. While investigations proceed, the focus remains on casualty assessment, structural analysis of the wreckage, and whether mechanical or human factors contributed to the rapid bank and inversion.
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