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A small business jet has crashed at London Southend Airport this afternoon, Sunday, July 13, 2025, sending a "huge fireball" and a large cloud of black smoke into the sky. Essex Police were alerted to the "serious incident" just before 4 PM BST.
Witnesses described the aircraft, believed to be a 12-meter long Beech B200 Super King Air, banking heavily to its left shortly after takeoff before inverting and crashing "headfirst into the ground." The plane was reportedly bound for Lelystad in the Netherlands.
Emergency services, including multiple fire crews, paramedics, and the air ambulance, are at the scene, with Essex Police confirming that work will be ongoing for several hours. As a precaution due to proximity, a nearby golf club and rugby club have been evacuated. Several flights from Southend Airport have been cancelled following the incident. Details regarding casualties are yet to be officially confirmed.
Eyewitnesses described seeing a large plume of thick black smoke rising from the airport grounds, with one local media source reporting a "huge fireball" at the scene. Essex Police confirmed they were alerted to a "serious incident" involving a 12-meter plane.
"We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane," an Essex Police statement read. "We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours. We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues."
Further updates from the scene indicate the extensive nature of the emergency response. Essex Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that five fire crews and two off-road vehicles are in attendance, working alongside police and ambulance services. As a precautionary measure, due to their proximity to the incident, Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club are being evacuated.
The type of aircraft involved is believed to be a light aircraft, possibly a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, although official confirmation is pending. Details regarding the number of people on board the aircraft, and crucially, any injuries or fatalities, have not yet been released by authorities. The focus remains on securing the scene and managing the ongoing emergency operation.
David Burton-Sampson, the MP for Southend West and Leigh, quickly took to social media, appealing to the public: "I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved."
The incident has caused significant disruption in the area surrounding the airport, with traffic diversions expected as emergency services continue their vital work. Investigations into the cause of the crash are anticipated to commence once the immediate safety of the scene is assured. This is a rapidly developing situation, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Here is a list of the flights that have to date been cancelled: EJU 4662 15.55 Paris; EZY 5705 16.30 Alicante; EJU 7512 17.25 Faro; EZY 5731 17.30 Palma de Mallorca.
Currently, all other flights operated by the airline are still scheduled to depart on time.
However, passengers are urged to keep checking with the airport about the status of their flights.
