An investigation has been launched into Sunday’s airplane crash at London Southend airport, however there’s nonetheless no official affirmation of casualties.
The Beechcraft B200 plane crashed at about 4pm, quickly after taking off from the airport in Essex. The airplane was seen in flames with darkish smoke billowing from it, in keeping with witnesses and pictures circulating on social media.
The airport has been closed till additional discover with dozens of flights cancelled, because the Air Accidents Investigation Department confirmed it had began an inquiry into the crash.
A spokesperson stated: “A multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data arrived at the accident site yesterday afternoon. Inquiries are ongoing today.”
A press release from Essex police stated: “We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane. We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours.
“We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.”
The East of England ambulance service stated that on Sunday it dispatched 4 ambulances, a speedy response automobile, 4 hazardous space response staff autos, three senior paramedic automobiles and Essex and Herts air ambulance to the scene. Essex County fireplace and rescue service stated 4 crews together with off-road autos attended the incident.
The plane, operated by Zeusch Aviation, was outfitted with medical techniques for transporting sufferers. The Dutch firm specialises in medical evacuations and transplant flights and likewise runs personal charters.
The airline confirmed its flight SUZ1 had been concerned in an accident.
“We are actively supporting the authorities with the investigation and will provide updates on this page as more information becomes available,” the airline stated. “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.”
The reason for the crash shouldn’t be but identified and it’s unclear how many individuals had been onboard, whether or not the flight from Southend was a medical evacuation or whether or not any affected person was onboard.
Based on the flight-tracking service Flightradar24, the airplane took off at 3.48pm and was certain for Lelystad, a metropolis within the Netherlands.
John Johnson from Billericay was at Southend airport together with his household on the time of the crash. He instructed PA Media: “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us. The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its takeoff departure, powered up, rolled down the runway.
“It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed just headfirst into the ground.
“There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it. All the kids saw it and the families saw it.”
ESN Report wrote on X: “Just witnessed a Beechcraft crash on takeoff at Southend airport about 40 minutes after a Cessna also left the runway. Thoughts are with those on the aircraft. Absolutely tragic. Was waving to the aircrew just moments before.”
David Burton-Sampson, the Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, posted on X: “I am aware of an incident at Southend airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved.”
Police stated that they had evacuated the Rochford Hundred golf membership as a precaution due to its proximity to the incident.
After saying flights had been grounded on Sunday, London Southend airport stated in a press release that passengers resulting from journey on Monday ought to “contact their airline for information and advice”.
“We will restart flight operations as soon as possible and will continue to update the public on developments,” the assertion stated.
EasyJet earlier stated all of its flights to and from Southend had been “diverted to alternative airports or are no longer able to operate”.
