UK’s Southend Airport crash: On Sunday, July 13, 2025, a Beechcraft Super King Air B200 (tail number PH‑ZAZ), operated by Dutch medevac specialist Zeusch Aviation, crashed just seconds after departing London Southend Airport in Essex. As of now, Southend Airport remains closed “until further notice”, with no confirmed reopening date. The aircraft, equipped for medical patient transport, had departed from Pula, Croatia, earlier that day and was scheduled to return to Lelystad in the Netherlands.
Eyewitnesses at approximately 3:48 PM BST reported that the turboprop suddenly banked sharply to the left, inverted mid‑air, and then plummeted head-first into the ground, bursting into a fireball and sending thick black smoke into the sky.
Emergency Response and Flight Disruption
Flight operations at the airport were halted immediately. Emergency services—including fire brigades, multiple ambulances, As of now, Southend Airport remains closed “until further notice”, with no confirmed reopening date. Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, and the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance—rushed to the scene. Police cordoned off the area and evacuated nearby facilities like the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club as a precaution.
EasyJet preemptively canceled or rerouted three return flights scheduled for Monday, advising passengers to contact their airlines for updates . As of now, Southend Airport remains closed “until further notice”, with no confirmed reopening date.
Eyewitness Accounts: Horror and Shock
Several firsthand accounts describe a horrifying scene. One eyewitness, John Johnson, who was waving at the aircraft with his family, said:
“About three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left… then more or less inverted and crashed head first… There was a big fireball”.
Another local resident, Dani Hill, told PEOPLE magazine she watched in disbelief:
“I saw the huge fireball from my window. I’m still shaking like mad. I’ve never seen anything like it”.
Investigation Launches as Cause Remains Unknown
Zeusch Aviation issued a statement saying flight SUZ1 was involved and they are fully cooperating with authorities. Their thoughts are with everyone affected. As of now, Southend Airport remains closed “until further notice”, with no confirmed reopening date.
The AAIB has deployed investigators to gather data—flight recordings, wreckage analysis, maintenance records—and no official statement on casualties has been released yet. As of now, Southend Airport remains closed “until further notice”, with no confirmed reopening date. The number of people onboard (crew, medical staff, or patient) remains unconfirmed .
What It Means for Travelers and the Airport
The closure has caused delays and disruptions for passengers. Travelers scheduled through Southend are urged to contact their airlines. EasyJet, which resumed flights in March, has redirected operations to other London-area airports.
Airport authorities have advised all affected passengers to:
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Check flight status with their airline.
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Seek rebooking options or rerouted flights via larger hubs.
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Prepare for possible compensation or refunds, depending on airline policies and regulations.
There’s no announcement yet on when flights will resume, but officials have stressed that safety remains the top priority. As of now, Southend Airport remains closed “until further notice”, with no confirmed reopening date.
