BREAKING: Plane crashes at Southend Airport in London, multiple casualties reported | WATCH
This is a developing story. More details will be provided as soon as they become available.
TwitterA Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, crashed shortly after takeoff from London Southend Airport (EGMC) at approximately 4:00 PM local time (BST) on Sunday, en route to Lelystad, Netherlands. The incident produced a massive fireball and thick plume of black smoke, visible to onlookers and captured in images circulating on social media, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, and the East of England Ambulance Service are currently at the scene, managing the situation. David Burton-Sampson, the Labour MP for Southend, issued a statement urging the public to avoid the area to facilitate emergency operations, expressing concern for those affected. “My thoughts are with everyone involved in the incident at Southend Airport,” he said.
Details regarding casualties remain unconfirmed. The Beechcraft B200 typically accommodates up to 13 passengers but is often configured for fewer on short-haul or charter flights. No official reports have clarified the number of passengers or crew on board or the extent of injuries or fatalities.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by authorities, with no preliminary findings released. The aircraft reportedly experienced difficulties shortly after takeoff, leading to a rapid descent and impact, followed by a fire.
The aircraft, identified as a twin-engined Beechcraft King Air B200 by The Telegraph, was operating a scheduled flight to Lelystad.
The model is commonly used for short-haul charters, cargo, or medical transport but has been involved in prior accidents globally, often tied to mechanical or operational issues. Historical incidents involving the Beechcraft B200, such as a 2017 crash in Melbourne, Australia, have pointed to engine failure or flight control issues.
Weather conditions at Southend Airport have not been cited as a contributing factor.
Southend Airport operations are likely disrupted as emergency crews secure the area. The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is expected to lead the investigation, which will likely examine flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders (if equipped), and wreckage to determine the cause. A separate incident at Southend Airport involving a Cessna leaving the runway was reported earlier, but no connection to the Beechcraft crash has been established.