A Chilean-born nurse has been named as among the four people who were killed in a plane crash at London Southend Airport.
Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German citizen born in Chile, was reportedly on her first day as a flight nurse on board the small aircraft when it came down after take-off on Sunday afternoon.
A Dutch pilot and co-pilot, along with one other person, were also on the Beech B200 Super King Air, operated by Zeusch Aviation, which specialises in medical evacuations.
A friend of Ms Ortiz, called Anna Smith, told the BBC it had been her first day as a flight nurse, having previously worked as a nurse in the public sector.
“She was so excited for this new job,” she said.
She added: "She had a giving heart and was humble, and chose a profession that reflected that.
It is understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend, and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has started an investigation with inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data already dispatched to the crash site.
The airport remains closed.
Southend Airport plane crash: Police declare ‘serious incident’ as people nearby evacuated
Southend Airport to remain closed after ‘fireball’ crash
Pilots ‘waved to children’ before aircraft ‘crashed head first’ into ground at Southend Airport
Watch: Flight tracker shows moment Southend plane crashed shortly after takeoff
Beech b200: What is the aircraft involved in the Southend airport plane crash?
Key Points
- Nurse killed in plane crash was on her first day
- Four people onboard plane have died
- Details of passengers revealed
- Everything we know about the London Southend Airport crash
- Southend Airport closed until further notice
- Watch: Flight tracker shows moment Southend plane crashed shortly after takeoff
Pictured: The King Air B200
22:40 , Rebecca Whittaker
Watch: Aerial footage of Southend airport shows wreckage at charred
22:20 , Rebecca WhittakerTransport secretary shares 'deepest sympathies' following the crash
22:00 , Rebecca WhittakerTransport secretary Heidi Alexander has shared her “deepest sympathies” with everyone impacted by the crash in a post on X.
My deepest sympathies are with everyone impacted by the awful incident at Southend Airport.
— Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) July 14, 2025
My thanks go to the emergency services for their ongoing response.@aaibgovuk is working alongside the authorities to investigate this tragic accident and I continue to receive updates.
Beechcraft King Air B200 costs up to £1.5mn
21:40 , Rebecca WhittakerThe plane involved in the incident, Beechcraft King Air B200, costs up to £1.47million, according to sales listings online.
A listing for the aircraft says it can carry 6 passengers and two cabin crew. The length of the cabin is nearly 17ft, according to the listing.
The aircraft cruises at about 285 miles per hour, which is around 290 knots in airspeed.
Pictured: Plume of black smoke rises near Southend runway following small plane crash
21:20 , Rebecca Whittaker
Witnesses recall children waving to the pilots before the crash
21:00 , Rebecca WhittakerJohn Johnson, who was at the airport with his children and wife on Sunday, said they saw a "big fireball" after the plane crashed "head first into the ground".
Mr Johnson, from Billericay, Essex, said that before the plane took off, "we all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us".
He added: "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.
"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."
Simon Calder answers your air travel safety questions
20:40 , Rebecca Whittaker.png?trim=0,0,0,0&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
Simon Calder on air travel safety – from Boeing to budget airlines
20 EasyJet flights and two Eastern Airways flights cancelled
20:20 , Rebecca WhittakerThere were scheduled to be 20 easyJet flights and two Eastern Airways flights departing from or arriving at London Southend Airport on Monday.
However, because the airport remains closed all flights have been cancelled.
EasyJet said the company's remaining flights to and from the airport had been “diverted to alternative airports or are no longer able to operate.”
What we know about the victims as four deaths confirmed
20:00 , Rebecca Whittaker- Four foreign nationals died after a 12-metre-long aircraft crashed "head first into the ground" shortly after take-off from London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon.
- Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers.
- It is also understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands.
- Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German citizen born in Chile was one of four killed in the plane crash.
- It’s been reported that it was Maria’s first day working aboard the plane.
- However, the names of the four who died have not yet been officially released.
'Her charisma, love, humor, and kindness will remain alive in our memories'
19:35 , Rebecca WhittakerThe family of Chilean nurse María Fernanda Rojas Ortíz have shared a tribute following her death.
"It is with deep sorrow that we report the tragic passing of our beloved , who passed away today, Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a plane crash in London," the statement shared by Chilean news site T13 reads.
The translated message added: "the news of her passing is immensely difficult to accept; she was a person who marked the passing of those of us who knew her."
"Her charisma, love, humour, and kindness, which characterised her as a person, will remain alive in our memories and in our hearts forever," they added.
A fundraiser has been set up to raise money for Maria's family
19:20 , Rebecca WhittakerA Gofundme page has been set up to help raise cash for the family of Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz.
On the fundraiser set up by Julia Esteban it says translated from Spanish:
“It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of our beloved Feña, in a tragic accident that is still under investigation by the authorities.
“We know that the pain is immense and shared by the many people who loved her and supported her at different stages of her life.
“In the midst of this difficult time, we want to organize ourselves to support her family. This process entails many unexpected expenses—transfers, paperwork, possible travel, and everything necessary to give her a proper send-off.
“We're starting this charity fundraiser among friends, colleagues, and those close to Feña.
“The idea is to raise funds that will then be donated directly to her family, so they can use them for whatever they deem most necessary.
“We will be fully transparent in our reporting of the contributions received and, if the family allows it, how the funds were used.
“Thank you so much for being here, for the love, for the support, and for everything each of you has done during these difficult days.
“We embrace everyone who loved us and we'll stay in touch to support each other and stay organized.
“We love you Feña.”
Labour MP has thanked emergency services for their work in 'horrendous circumstances'
19:10 , Rebeca WhittakerLabour MP for Southend West and Leigh David Sampson has thanked the emergency services for their work following the plane crash yesterday.
In a post on X he said: “I thank the emergency services for their response and support at yet another difficult incident taking place in such as short period of time in our city.
“We are incredibly grateful for the work they do in often horrendous circumstances.”
Please see below my statement on the incident at London Southend Airport yesterday. pic.twitter.com/UGIOBNhmrz
— David Burton-Sampson MP (@DavidBSampson) July 14, 2025
Nurses friends say she was the 'kindest soul'
19:00 , Rebecca WhittakerMaria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German citizen born in Chile was one of four killed in the plane crash at Southend Airport.
Ms Rojaz Ortiz's friends have told the BBC that she was the "kindest soul" and that she "didn't have a single bad bone in her body".
They also said that "she was humble and chose a profession that reflected that".
A Gofundme has also been set up to raise cash for Maria’s family.
Nurse killed in plane crash was on her first day, according to reports
18:40 , Rebecca WhittakerMaria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, 31, is thought to have been on the medical plane when it crashed at Southend Airport.
The Mirror reported that it was her first day working aboard the plane.
A friend told the Mirror: "It was her first day on the job. She was a hospital nurse but then took a job with a private medical firm, she didn't tell anyone, but this was her first day in the job.”
The friend added her wife can barely speak because she is so distraught.
A Gofundme has also been set up to raise cash for Maria’s family.
Four foreign nationals die in Southend Airport plane crash
18:00 , Rebecca WhittakerTwo Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers.
It is also understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands.
Read more here:
What we know about the crash victims
17:42 , Rebecca Whittaker- Four foreign nationals died after a 12-metre-long aircraft crashed "head first into the ground" shortly after take-off from London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon.
- Two Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers.
- It is also understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands.
- Flight tracking data suggests the aircraft was a Beech B200 Super King Air, a US-built aircraft.
- According to the flight-tracking service Flightradar, the plane took off from Southend Airport at 3.48pm, and was bound for Lelystad, a city in the Netherlands.
- Earlier on Sunday, it had flown from Athens to Pula airport in Croatia, before making the three-hour flight to London Southend.
London Southend airport to remain closed CEO says in statement
17:29 , Rebeca WhittakerLondon Southend Airport has said the airport will remain closed until further notice.
It urged customers to contact their airline for information and advice.
— London Southend Airport (@SouthendAirport) July 14, 2025
Exclusion zone remains in place as police continue investigation
17:23 , Rebecca WhittakerDetectives and forensic teams are working with air accident investigators, the Royal Air Force, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and London Southend Airport to build an accurate picture of yesterday’s aeroplane crash.
During the press conference today Chief Superintendent, Morgan Cronin who is overseeing the investigation confirmed all four people on board the plane died.
He said "We’re working to officially confirm their identities. At this stage, we believe all four are foreign nationals.
"Our thoughts are with their families and colleagues at this tragic time. I can promise them that those who have passed away will be treated with the utmost care and dignity.”
He added that he Civil Aviation Authority has put in place an air exclusion zone surrounding the crash site while the investigation takes place.
"We’re also speaking with dozens of witnesses, some of whom have provided video footage and we’d like to thank them for their help – I know this will have been extremely distressing to witness,” he added.
"I would also like to thank London Southend Airport and the wider public for their patience and understanding.”
Watch: Police believe all four on board Southend plane were foreign nationals
17:15 , Rebecca WhittakerBulletin: Four dead after plane crash at London’s Southend airport
16:57 , Jabed Ahmed- Four people died after a 12-metre-long aircraft crashed "head first into the ground" shortly after take-off from London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon.
- The incident involved Zeusch Aviation's SUZ1 flight, a Beech B200 Super King Air, which had flown from Athens to Pula before heading to Southend and was scheduled to return to Lelystad.
- Witnesses described seeing a “massive fireball” following the crash, with one stating the plane banked heavily and inverted after take-off.
- Southend Airport remains closed until further notice, leading to the cancellation of at least ten easyJet passenger flights and affecting around 1,700 passengers.
- The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an investigation into the crash, with a multi-disciplinary team on site.
Read the full article below:
Watch | Smoke billows near Southend runway after small plane crash
16:33 , Jabed AhmedStarmer pays tribute to those killed
16:15 , Jabed AhmedSir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to four people killed in a plane crash at Southend Airport, saying his “thoughts are with their families and loved ones”.
Terrible news that four people tragically lost their lives in yesterday’s plane crash at Southend Airport. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 14, 2025
I also want to thank all the emergency responders who attended the scene.
Details of passengers revealed
15:55 , Jabed AhmedTwo Dutch pilots and a Chilean nurse were among those on board, according to a document which lists passengers, it is understood.
It is also understood that the plane had dropped off a patient at Southend and was due to return to its base in the Netherlands.
Exclusion zone remains in place around Southend Airport
15:17 , Jabed AhmedChief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said: “Our detectives and forensic teams are working in parallel with air accident investigators, the Royal Air Force, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and London Southend Airport to build an accurate picture of what happened.
“To aid our investigation, the Civil Aviation Authority has put in place a significant air exclusion zone surrounding the crash site.
“We’re also speaking with dozens of witnesses, some of whom have already provided video footage, and we’d like to thank them for their help. I know this would be an extremely distressing scene for them.
“I know there will be a lot of questions about what happened here yesterday. We are doing all we can to establish the facts and get those answers.
“We will provide further updates as soon as we practically can.”
Safety investigation launched
15:08 , Jabed AhmedA safety investigation has been launched by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), Lisa Fitzsimons, chief investigator at AAIB, said.
This will be parallel to the investigation by Essex Police, she said.
Ms Fitzsimons said it is too early to speculate what may have caused the accident.
