Pilots Waved to Children Moments Before Fiery Plane Crash at London Airport

A light aircraft went down in a fiery crash shortly after taking off from London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon, in a devastating incident that unfolded just moments after the pilots were seen cheerfully waving to children watching from the runway’s edge.

The crash, which occurred around 4 pm, involved a 12-metre twin-turboprop aircraft believed to be a Beech B200 Super King Air, operated by Dutch aviation company Zeusch Aviation. The plane, which had just begun its journey to Lelystad in the Netherlands, veered sharply and plummeted into the ground shortly after take-off, sending a massive fireball into the air.

Emergency services responded immediately. Essex Police, Essex County Fire and Rescue, and the East of England Ambulance Service flooded the crash site with resources. Multiple fire engines, off-road response vehicles, and specialist paramedic units are currently on the scene, and operations are expected to continue well into the evening.

Eyewitness John Johnson, who was at the airport with his family, described the chilling sequence of events. “The pilots waved at the kids, and we all waved back. It was such a sweet moment,” he recalled. “Then the plane powered down the runway and lifted off, but within seconds it turned sharply left, tilted nearly upside down, and crashed with a huge explosion. It was horrifying.”

Video clips captured from a nearby golf course and circulated on social media show black smoke rising high above the airport, with flames engulfing the crash site. Emergency crews also evacuated areas around Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club for public safety.

The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed it had deployed four ambulances, a rapid-response car, several hazardous area response teams, and an air ambulance to assist at the scene.

While officials have not confirmed how many people were on board or whether there were survivors, they acknowledged the severity of the incident and have urged the public to steer clear of the area. “Our thoughts are with all those affected,” a police spokesperson said.

Flight-tracking data indicates the aircraft took off at 3:48 pm and was airborne for only a few minutes before the crash. The plane, used primarily for medical transport and organ delivery missions, was registered to Zeusch Aviation. The company has since confirmed that the aircraft involved was theirs and that it is working closely with investigators.

Southend Airport has shut down all operations following the crash. Four outgoing flights were cancelled as emergency response and investigative teams took over the site.

Locals described feeling “shaken and heartbroken.” One witness, visibly emotional, told reporters, “You don’t expect to see something like this, especially after such a lovely gesture from the pilots. It’s heartbreaking.”

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