A small plane has crashed after takeoff from London Southend Airport, exploding into a huge fireball just yards from the runway.
The 40ft-long Beech B200 aircraft was heading from the Essex airport to the Netherlands but reached just 175ft before crashing.
Footage has been circulating on social media of a black plume of smoke billowing into the sky.
The flight to Lelystad, east of Amsterdam, was scheduled to take off at 3.45pm but took off ten minutes late, according to Flightradar.
It’s not clear how many individuals were on board the aircraft, which is a twin-engined turboprop capable of carrying up to 12 passengers. Essex police, ambulances, and fire services have all responded to the location.
Residents are being advised to stay away from the area and several flights have been cancelled since the crash.
One user wrote on X: ‘Just witnessed a Beechcraft crash on take-off at Southend airport about 40 minutes after a Cessna also left the runway.
‘Thoughts are with those on the aircraft.’
A small plane has crashed close to the runway after takeoff from Southend Airport
Images of a huge fire with black smoke have been circulating on social media
A huge plume of black smoke was seen coming off the runway
The flight to Lelystad was scheduled to take off at 3.45pm, according to Flightradar
It was a small Beech B200 aircraft that was involved in the crash (stock photo)
Dani Hill, who lives near the airport, told the Daily Star: ‘I saw the huge fireball from my window. I’m still shaking like mad.
‘I’ve never seen anything like it. Praying all involved are ok if any.
‘Absolutely tragic. Was waving to the aircrew just moments before.’
According to data from Flightradar, the plane appeared to have departed in a northeasterly direction at approximately 120mph, reaching an altitude of about 175 feet. However, after becoming airborne, the aircraft reportedly reduced its speed as it turned north.
On the same day, the plane had completed two journeys: first from Athens, Greece, to Pula, Croatia, and then from Pula to Southend in the UK, where it landed at 2:51 pm.
MP David Burton-Sampson wrote on X: ‘I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport.
‘Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work. My thoughts are with everyone involved.’
Councillor Matt Dent said: ‘I am aware of the live serious incident ongoing at London Southend Airport. At present all I know is that a small plane has crashed at the airport.
‘My thoughts are with all those involved, and with the emergency services currently responding to the incident.’
Local sports clubs, the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club, have also been evacuated due to its proximity to the explosion as a ‘precaution’, police have said.
A 5.25pm flight to Faro out of Southend Airport has been cancelled, as well as a 5.30pm flight to Palma de Mallorca.
Essex Police have said: ‘We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport.
In one video circulating online, passengers were seen boarding with the crash billowing smoke on the other side of the runway
A huge cloud of black smoke was seen billowing from the side of the runway
The smoke clouds could be seen from the car park
A fire engine was seen at Southend Airport
‘We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane.
‘We are working with all emergency services at the scene now and that work will be ongoing for several hours.
‘We would please ask the public to avoid this area where possible while this work continues.’
East of England Ambulance Service said: ‘Four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, three senior paramedic cars and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance have been sent to Southend Airport responding to reports of an incident involving an airplane.
‘This is a live incident and still developing as we work at the scene with our emergency services colleagues and aviation partners.’
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement: ‘We were called to an incident involving a light aircraft at Southend Airport today at 3.58pm.
‘Crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended.
‘We are continuing to work at the scene with our emergency services and aviation partners.
‘Please avoid the area if possible while this work continues.’
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
