Southend Airport plane crash Huge fireball seen as aircraft crashes moments after takeoff.
A small plane has crashed after take-off at Southend Airport, sending a fireball into the sky.
Essex Police and East of England Ambulance Service are responding to the incident at the airport this afternoon.
The passenger plane is reportedly a Beechcraft King Air B200 that was leaving the airport for Lelystad in the Netherlands.
In a statement, Essex Police said: “We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane.
“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.”
Labour MP for Southend West, David Burton-Sampson, has responded to the incident. Writing on X, he said: “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.”
Matt Dent, Southend City Council’s cabinet member for business, culture, music and tourism, posted on X: “My thoughts are with all those involved, and with the emergency services currently responding to the incident.”
EasyJet is among the airlines to use London South Airport as a base. The airline, which runs 122 flights per week across 20 routes, has cancelled its four evening flights to Paris, Alicante, Faro and Palma de Mallorca.
Flight to Southend from Gran Canaria diverted
EasyJet, the biggest airline at Southend, diverted two flights following the tragedy.
An arrival from Gran Canaria flew a holding pattern over the English Channel before diverting to London Gatwick. The next arrival, from Faro in Portugal, landed at the other Essex airport, Stansted.
The two aircraft were due to operate subsequent flights to Faro and Palma de Mallorca. Both departures, and the corresponding return flights, were cancelled.
Watch: Flight tracker shows moment Southend plane crashed shortly after takeoff
Tracking data has captured the moment a small plane crashed shortly after taking off from Southend Airport, sending a fireball into the sky. (13 July)
The aircraft was reportedly a Beech B200 en route to Lelystad in the Netherlands when the incident occurred.
In a statement, Essex Police said: “We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane.”
“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.”
Watch the footage here:
Flight tracker shows moment Southend plane crashed shortly after takeoff
London Southend Airport has confirmed a ‘serious incident’
London Southend Airport said: “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.”
Police evacuate Golf and Rugby club
Essex police have evacuated the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club.
In a statement on the incident Essex police said the evacuation is only as a precaution due to their proximity to the crash.
All flights cancelled from Southend Airport today
All flights have been cancelled, according to the airport’s departure board.
It shows the 3.55pm flight to Paris was cancelled, as was the 4.30pm flight to Alicante and the 5.25pm to Faro and the 5.30pm flight to Palma de Mallorca.
However, the airports arrivals board appears to show flights arriving back at Southend tonight are on time.
Flight tracker shows moment Southend plane crashed shortly after takeoff
Pictured: Explosion on runway at Southend Airport following crash
What is the beech b200 aircraft reportedly involved?
The b200 aircraft reportedly involved in the crash is a small 12 metre plane.
The versatile aircraft is used for various purposes, including passenger transport, cargo delivery.
Four fire crews attend crash
Essex County Fire and rescue are currently at the scene of the crash.
A spokesperson said: “We were called to an incident involving a light aircraft at Southend Airport today at 3.58pm.
“Crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended.
“We are continuing to work at the scene with our emergency services and aviation partners.”
(independent)