07/14/2025
🔴 London Plane Crash: Four Dead in Tragic Air Ambulance Accident at Southend Airport
London, UK – July 13, 2025
A tragic aircraft accident at **London Southend Airport** on Sunday claimed the lives of all **four people on board**, when a **Beechcraft B200 Super King Air** crashed moments after takeoff, bursting into flames upon impact.
🕓 What Happened
The small twin-prop aircraft, operated by **Zeusch Aviation**, took off shortly after **4:00 PM BST** bound for **Lelystad, Netherlands**, on a **medevac/air-ambulance flight**. However, seconds into the ascent, the plane appeared to lose control and spiral downward in a corkscrew motion. It crashed within the airport perimeter and was immediately engulfed in a towering inferno, visible for miles around.
Eyewitnesses described the horrifying moment when the aircraft, which had just become airborne, banked sharply and nose-dived into the runway area, erupting in flames with a thick black plume rising over Essex skies.
🕯️ Victims
Authorities confirmed that **all four people aboard** the aircraft were **killed on impact**.
They include:
* **Two Dutch crew members** (pilot and co-pilot)
* A **Chilean nurse**
* A **German medical professional**
No passengers or ground staff were involved or injured in the incident.
✈️ Flight History & Aircraft Details
The **Beechcraft B200 Super King Air**, a twin-engine turboprop widely used for air ambulance services, had earlier flown from **Athens (Greece)** to **P**a (Croatia)** before arriving at Southend. It was being repositioned for medical duty back to Lelystad, Netherlands, at the time of the crash.
Initial flight data shows the plane reached an altitude of just **175 feet** before a rapid and uncontrolled descent. This points to a possible **catastrophic mechanical or control failure**, although authorities emphasize that it’s too early to speculate on the cause.
🛑 Airport Operations Disrupted
Following the crash, **Southend Airport** was **immediately closed**, with dozens of commercial flights—particularly **easyJet services**—either **canceled** or **diverted** to nearby airports such as **Gatwick, Luton**, and **Stansted**. A **safety exclusion zone** was established around the wreckage as emergency services battled the blaze and began recovery operations.
Local facilities including a nearby rugby club, golf course , and recreational areas were also temporarily evacuated.
🕵️ Investigation Underway
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched a full investigation. A multidisciplinary team is analyzing the aircraft wreckage, flight recorder data, air traffic control communications, and eyewitness video footage.
Early focus areas include:
Mechanical failure of engine or control surfaces
Weight and balance during takeoff
Crew performance and pre-flight procedures
Recent maintenance records of the aircraft
The AAIB will collaborate with Dutch authorities, as the operator was Netherlands-based.
📸 Viral Video and Global Reaction
Footage of the crash has since gone viral across platforms like YouTube, X (Twitter), and TikTok, with millions of views. International aviation authorities have extended condolences, and global media are actively tracking updates on the tragedy.
🗞️ Summary
Crash Date:Sunday, July 13, 2025
Location:London Southend Airport, Essex
Aircraft: Beechcraft B200 Super King Air (PH-ZAZ)
Flight Purpose:Medevac (air ambulance)
Fatalities: 4 (2 crew, 2 medical personnel)
Destination: Lelystad, Netherlands
Cause:Under investigation by UK’s AAIB
Airport Status: Temporarily closed, flights diverted
⚠️ Public Safety Note
While general aviation flights are usually safe, authorities urge the public to avoid speculation and rely on official sources for updates.
For verified news and updates, stay tuned to UK Civil Aviation Authority and the AAIB’s official communications.
