Tragedy struck shortly after a small plane took off from London Southend Airport, resulting in the death of all four individuals on board, as confirmed by police. The Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, operated by Dutch company Zeusch Aviation, had earlier journeyed from Athens, Greece, to Pula, Croatia, before returning to Southend. The aircraft went down mere moments after takeoff, igniting into flames.
Essex Police Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin expressed sorrow over the incident, stating, “Sadly, we can now confirm that all four people on board died.” Authorities are in the process of identifying the victims, believed to be foreign nationals. Zeusch Aviation, which offers medical evacuation, transplant flights, and private charters, released a statement confirming that there were no survivors from flight SUZ1. They extended their condolences to the victims and their families during this challenging time.
Witnesses reported seeing a large fireball following the crash, which occurred shortly after the aircraft’s departure. The Beechcraft B200, a well-known aircraft first produced in the 1970s, is utilised worldwide for diverse missions. Its planned return to Lelystad in the Netherlands was set for Sunday evening.
London Southend Airport, situated approximately 72 kilometres east of central London, primarily caters to short-haul flights, including services by easyJet. The airport remained closed on the following Monday, with no updates regarding its reopening.
The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch dispatched a specialised team to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation, including experts in various fields such as operations, engineering, and human factors. Lisa Fitzsimons of the agency remarked, “It is too early to speculate on what may have caused this tragic accident,” highlighting the need for careful examination before drawing any conclusions.
Notably, a similar model of the Beechcraft B200 was involved in a fatal incident in 2017, crashing into a shopping mall in Melbourne, Australia, subsequently killing the pilot and four American tourists. Such occurrences underline the importance of rigorous safety standards and investigations in the aviation industry.
In summary, this devastating crash not only claims lives but sends ripples through the aviation community and raises questions as investigations unfold.