Information on the plane’s destination or the number of occupants has not yet been revealed.

In a statement on social media, the airport confirmed a “serious incident” involving what it termed a general aviation aircraft.

Images posted on social media show a plume of fire and black smoke emanating from the crash site. The plane involved is said to be 12 metres long.

Witness John Johnson, who was at the airport with his family, said he saw a “big fireball” after the plane “crashed head first into the ground”.

“The plane took off, and approximately three or four seconds later, it started to tilt sharply to its left, and within a few more seconds, it almost turned upside down and crashed head-first into the ground,” he stated.

“There was a big fireball.”

Johnson said that before the plane got into position for take-off, he and his family waved at the pilots and “they all waved back at us”.

Following the crash, Johnson noted that the airport’s fire service immediately responded, dispatching two fire engines to the crash site, and were soon joined by local police, ambulance, and fire services.

Essex Police said it was alerted just before 4pm local time (1am Monday AEST) to the “serious incident” at the relatively small airport, which is around 72km east of the capital.

“We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours,” Essex Police said.

As a precaution due to their proximity to the incident, police evacuated a local golf club and rugby club.

The local member of parliament, David Burton-Sampson, urged people to stay away and let the emergency services do their work.

“My thoughts are with everyone involved,” he said.

According to the airport’s website, four flights scheduled to take off on Sunday afternoon were canceled.