London Southend Airport suspends operations after Beechcraft B200 fireball crash

London Southend Airport (SEN) has closed after a twin-engine Beechcraft King Air B200 crashed and erupted into a fireball shortly after takeoff.  

The accident, which involved a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, registered as PH-ZAZ, took place in the afternoon on July 13, 2025. The aircraft was operated by Zeusch Aviation, a company that provides medical evacuation and transplant flights, aerial mapping, relay flights, and aerial surveillance. 

“We are actively supporting the authorities with the investigation and will provide updates as more information becomes available,” the company confirmed in a statement. “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.” 

According to Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system data, the aircraft landed at the airport at 13:49 local time after flying from Pula Airport (PUY) in Croatia. It stayed on the ground for roughly an hour before starting taxi to runway 05 at 14:52 local time. 

According to real-time flight tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft took off at 14:58 local time and was headed to Lelystad Airport (LEY) in the Netherlands. 

However, after taking off, witnesses reported that the aircraft rolled to the left, nearly reaching an inverted position, before crashing to the ground and bursting into flames.  

Video footage and pictures taken by bystanders and passengers at the scene were shared on social media, showcasing a large fireball erupting as the aircraft struck the ground. 

A Beech B200 Super King Air Crashed on takeoff at Southend Airport in the UK. a while agoWait for the report, let’s see this white wash pic.twitter.com/aZslUB7Q5A— Dr MJ Augustine Vinod (@mjavinod) July 13, 2025

Officials at London Southend Airport announced that all flights in and out of the airport have been cancelled, and the airport is “closed until further notice” due to the crash. 

“We ask that any passengers due to travel via London Southend Airport contact their airline for information and advice,” the airport statement read. “We will restart flight operations as soon as possible and will continue to update the public on developments.” 

The cause of the crash is currently unclear, and no details about the number of people on board have been released. There is still no news regarding casualties, and as of July 14, 2025, there have been no further updates on this matter. 

“We are working closely with all at the scene, as well as the Air Accident Investigation Branch, to establish what has happened today and why,” Morgan Cronin, Chief Superintendent at Essex Police, said in a statement. “I fully appreciate the desire for more information in this matter, and we will share as much as we can, when we can, throughout our work.” 

Cronin added that it is “vital for all involved that this investigation is carried out thoroughly and correctly”, and to do that the police will need time. 

In a post on X, Heidi Alexander MP, Secretary of State for Transport in the UK, said that she is “aware of the tragic incident at Southend airport”.  

“The emergency services are on scene and are advising the public to avoid the area where possible. I am monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates,” she said. The post London Southend Airport suspends operations after Beechcraft B200 fireball crash appeared first on AeroTime.

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