Date: July 13, 2025
Location: London Southend Airport, Essex, UK

🧨 What Happened

On Sunday afternoon just before 4 PM local time, a small Beech B200 Super King Air took off from London Southend Airport, heading toward the Netherlands. Moments after takeoff, the aircraft suddenly banked sharply to the left, flipped mid-air, and crashed near the runway — erupting in a massive fireball that sent thick black smoke into the sky.

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👀 Witnesses Speak

• One witness said:
  “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back… it took off and within a few seconds it started to bank heavily… then it inverted and crashed… There was a big fireball.”
• Another onlooker at a nearby golf club added:
  “I didn’t see the plane, but I felt a big heat wave and looked up to a massive fireball about 100 feet in the sky.”

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🚨 Emergency Response

• Essex Police declared it a “serious incident” and urged the public to avoid the area.
• Multiple fire engines, ambulances, HazMat teams, and an air ambulance rushed to the scene.
• Nearby buildings including a golf and rugby club were evacuated as a safety precaution.

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📉 Operational Impact

• The airport was shut down immediately after the crash.
• Departing and arriving flights were rerouted to nearby airports like Gatwick and Stansted.
• Several commercial flights, including four by EasyJet, were cancelled due to the incident.
• Local MP David Burton-Sampson urged people to stay away to allow emergency services to operate safely.

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🔍 Investigation Underway

Flight tracking data confirmed that the aircraft reached only 175 feet in altitude before plummeting.
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is now leading the investigation to determine the cause — which may involve mechanical failure, weather conditions, or pilot error.

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📝 Summary

A tragic small plane crash at Southend Airport in Essex shocked onlookers and disrupted operations on July 13, 2025. The Beech B200 aircraft crashed moments after takeoff, triggering a fireball seen for miles. Emergency services responded swiftly, and an investigation is underway.