London Southend Airport has been closed until further notice following a dramatic small plane crash shortly after takeoff on Sunday afternoon. The incident, which saw a “big fireball” and thick black smoke billowing from the crash site, has become a trending topic on Google as authorities investigate and flights remain cancelled.
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The aircraft involved, a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air operated by Dutch company Zeusch Aviation, crashed just moments after departing the runway. Witnesses described the plane banking sharply to the left, then flipping and crashing head-first into the ground. Zeusch Aviation confirmed that its flight SUZ1 was involved and stated they are “actively supporting the authorities with the investigation.”
While authorities have not yet confirmed any casualties, emergency services, including Essex Police, East of England Ambulance Service, and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, were immediately dispatched to the scene. A police cordon remains in place, and nearby areas, including a golf club and rugby club, were evacuated as a precaution due to their proximity to the crash site.
The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air is a 12-meter-long turboprop plane often used for short-haul charter flights, medical evacuations, and light freight transport. The aircraft had flown from Athens, Greece, to Pula, Croatia, and then to Southend earlier on Sunday, with its final destination being Lelystad in the Netherlands.
All flights to and from London Southend Airport have been cancelled, causing significant disruption for travelers. Passengers scheduled to fly from the airport are advised to contact their airlines for updated information. The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has taken charge of the probe to determine the cause of the crash.
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