The pilots of a plane that crashed in a “fireball” waved at children shortly before the collision, a witness has said.
Essex Police said they were alerted shortly before 4pm on Sunday to “reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane” at Southend Airport and that they remain on the scene of the “serious incident”.
Images posted on social media show a plume of fire and black smoke coming up from the crash site.
Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands, confirmed its SUZ1 flight “was involved in an accident today at London Southend Airport”.
The statement said the company is “actively supporting the authorities with the investigation”, adding: “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected”.
Southend Airport announced it is closed until further notice, with all flights to and from it cancelled.
Passengers due to travel on Monday via the airport are advised to contact their airline.
Southend Airport said: “Our thoughts are with those affected by today’s events and all passengers impacted by this disruption.
“We will restart flight operations as soon as possible and will continue to update the public on developments.”
John Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife, said he saw a “big fireball” after the plane crashed “head first into the ground”.
Mr Johnson, from Billericay, told the PA news agency: “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us.
“The aircraft then turned 180 degrees to face its take-off, departure, powered up, rolled down the runway.
“It took off and about three or four seconds after taking off, it started to bank heavily to its left, and then within a few seconds of that happening, it more or less inverted and crashed just head first into the ground.
“There was a big fireball. Obviously, everybody was in shock in terms of witnessing it.
“All the kids saw it and the families saw it. I phoned 999, reported it.”
He added: “I’d say that we’re pretty shaken up.
“I just feel sad for the people who were on the plane and, of course, their loved ones and their family, our thoughts are with them.”
I am aware of an incident at Southend Airport. Please keep away and allow the emergency services to do their work.
— David Burton-Sampson MP (@DavidBSampson) July 13, 2025
My thoughts are with everyone involved. 🙏🏽
As a precaution because of their proximity to the incident, police said they are evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club.
The chairman of Westcliff Rugby Club, which is near Southend Airport, later said people at the club did not end up having to evacuate following the plane crash.
Pete Jones told PA: “That didn’t happen in the end.
“(Police) changed their mind.
“We’ve got a big event there, 250 people, and they just said no, you don’t have to evacuate.”
Mr Jones said the aircraft went down about 1,000m from the clubhouse and that people there could see smoke in the aftermath.
A bartender at the golf club, which is next door to the airport, said he felt a “big heat wave” before looking up to a “massive fireball” in the sky.
I’m aware of the tragic incident at Southend Airport this afternoon. My thoughts are with all those involved.
— Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) July 13, 2025
The emergency services are on scene and are advising the public to avoid the area where possible.
I am monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates.
James Philpott told the BBC: “I was just basically in a hut like in the middle of the course and I didn’t even see any plane go down or anything and I just felt like a big heat wave come through and I looked up and there was just a massive fireball basically 100 foot in the sky.
“It was more the heat really just kind of hit me as I was sitting there, just like, feel like I’m baking.”
He continued: “I think everyone was just quite shocked to be honest.
“People were sort of running towards it to see if anyone was injured or anything.”
Mr Philpott said he and others were collected from the course and taken back to the clubhouse where they remain now at a “safe distance” with the club closed.
The Transport Secretary said her “thoughts are with all those involved” in the crash and she is “receiving regular updates”.
In a post on X, Heidi Alexander said: “I’m aware of the tragic incident at Southend Airport this afternoon.
“My thoughts are with all those involved.
“The emergency services are on scene and are advising the public to avoid the area where possible.
“I am monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates.”
In a statement, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “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.”
The 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 the incident.
According to the airport’s website, four flights scheduled to take off on Sunday afternoon have been cancelled.
In a post on X, David Burton-Sampson, Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, said: “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.”
Matt Dent, Southend City Council’s cabinet member for business, culture, music and tourism, said on X: “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.”
Southend Airport said in a statement: “We can confirm there has been a serious incident at London Southend Airport this afternoon involving a general aviation aircraft.
“We are working closely with the local authorities and will be able to provide more information as soon as possible.”
Essex Police said they remain on the scene alongside fire and ambulance services.
The force has set up a dedicated public portal where people can contact them about the crash incident at: https://esxpol.uk/LIbaz.
