A small Dutch-operated aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from London Southend Airport, killing all four people on board. The plane was en route to the Netherlands when it plunged into a fireball seconds after takeoff.
A small Beechcraft B200 Super King Air turboprop operated by Dutch company Zeusch Aviation crashed shortly after takeoff from London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon.
The aircraft, which had flown from Athens to Pula earlier in the day and was flying to Lelystad in the Netherlands, reportedly overturned while banking heavily to the left before plummeting head‑first to the ground, exploding on impact. Thick black smoke and a large fireball were seen rising from the crash site.
Essex Police confirmed that all four people on board were foreign nationals and that no British citizens were among the victims. The aircraft’s mission profile suggested it was equipped for medical transport, although it remains unclear whether it was carrying patients. The plane was operating under flight number SUZ1.
Southend Airport was immediately closed following the crash, with all flights cancelled or diverted. An air exclusion zone was imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority as emergency services, police, and air investigators responded. Nearby facilities, including a golf club and rugby club, were evacuated due to public safety concerns.
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch deployed eight inspectors to the scene, while Essex Police, RAF personnel, and local fire and ambulance teams also took part. The wreckage is being moved to a secure facility in Farnborough, Hampshire, for detailed examination. Authorities maintain it is too early to determine the cause; both technical failure and pilot error are under consideration.
Zeusch Aviation stated it is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. Southend Airport’s CEO confirmed that operations will remain suspended until further notice, urging passengers to contact their airlines for further updates and assistance.