Small Jet Crashes After Takeoff in Essex

A Beech B200 aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from London Southend Airport, erupting into a massive fireball in front of shocked families.

The plane, headed to the Netherlands, reached only 175 feet before nosediving near the runway.

“The plane took off, and within a few seconds, it had a steep bank to its left. Then it turned into an inverted nosedive… and crashed into the ground in a big fireball,” a witness said.

Eyewitness Shock

Passengers and locals described the terrifying scene. One mother watching with her daughter said, “It took off, then around 50 meters it sort of kicked to the left… and just burst into flames as it hit the ground.”

John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children, said, “About three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily… then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed.”

Emergency Response and Investigation

Emergency services including ambulances, police, fire crews, and air support rushed to the scene. Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said, “We are working closely with all at the scene, as well as the Air Accident Investigation Branch, to establish what has happened today and why.”

An airport spokesperson confirmed: “We can confirm there has been a serious incident… involving a general aviation aircraft.”