A Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, operated by Zeusch Aviation, a Dutch company specializing in medical evacuations, transplant flights, and aerial surveillance, crashed shortly after takeoff from London Southend Airport in Essex, United Kingdom, on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at approximately 4:00 p.m. local time. The incident triggered a massive fireball and thick black smoke visible across the region, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
The aircraft, which was en route to Lelystad, Netherlands, after arriving earlier that day from Pula, Croatia, failed to climb beyond 175 feet, according to FlightRadar24 data. Eyewitnesses reported a dramatic explosion and flames, with one account noting the crash occurred about 40 minutes after a Cessna also left the runway at the same airport. The Beechcraft B200 has a maximum capacity of 11 passengers plus crew, but the exact number of people on board remains unconfirmed.
Essex Police, alongside the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the East of England Ambulance Service, are actively responding at the scene. The ambulance service deployed four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars, and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area to allow emergency operations to proceed unimpeded.
London Southend Airport has suspended all flight operations, with cancellations affecting easyJet flights from Alicante, Faro, and Palma de Mallorca. The airport issued a statement confirming the “serious incident” involving a general aviation aircraft and is working closely with local authorities to provide further updates. The cause of the crash is under investigation, with no official confirmation yet on casualties or the precise circumstances leading to the incident.
Local MP David Burton-Sampson expressed his concern, stating, “My thoughts are with everyone involved,” and echoed calls for the public to steer clear of the airport. This marks the second Beechcraft crash at Southend Airport, following a similar incident on September 12, 1987, involving another Beechcraft 200 Super King Air.
As the situation develops, the Civil Aviation Authority and emergency services are expected to release additional details.
