A small Beechcraft King Air B200 turboprop aircraft, operated by Zeusch Aviation and bound for Lelystad in the Netherlands, crashed just seconds after takeoff around 4 p.m., in what has been officially declared a “serious incident” .
Eyewitnesses described a sudden bank to the left followed by a near-vertical descent:
> “It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left… it more or less inverted and crashed just head‑first into the ground” .
A massive fireball and thick black smoke rose into the sky, prompting a swift response from Essex Police, several fire crews, four ambulances, Hazardous Area Response units, paramedics, and air ambulances .
Nearby locations, including Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club, were evacuated as a precaution; though later, the rugby club confirmed it did not require full evacuation .
London Southend Airport has shut down operations indefinitely, with all inbound and outbound flights cancelled. Authorities say the closure will remain in effect until the scene is fully secured and the Air Accident Investigation Branch completes its initial work .
Zeusch Aviation confirmed that it was their flight SUZ1 involved in the crash and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation .
As of now, no official figures on casualties or injuries have been released. Emergency teams are still assessing the scene, and the public is urged to steer clear of the area .
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Key Details
Date & Time: Sunday, 13 July 2025, around 4 p.m. local time
Location: London Southend Airport, Essex (≈35–56 km east of central London)
Aircraft: Beech B200 Super King Air, passenger/medical configuration
Operator: Zeusch Aviation (flight SUZ1), traveling to Lelystad, NL
Incident Classification: “Serious incident” under investigation by Essex Police & AAI
Airport Status: Closed until further notice; major disruption to travel and several international flights cancelled
Casualty Status: Unclear—no confirmed passenger or crew numbers, injuries, or fatalities reported yet
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Authorities continue to work at the scene, secure the area, and investigate the cause—including whether mechanical failure, human factors, or environmental conditions were at play.
Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.