A source from Rochford Hundred Golf Club said the organisation, whose grounds are next to the airport’s northern side, was hosting the quarter-finals of the Essex County Cup. The Telegraph understands the match was abandoned after the plane came down close to the 14th tee.

A bartender at the golf club said he felt a “big heat wave” before looking up to a “massive fireball” in the sky.

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.

Airport closed and flights cancelled

In a notice for pilots, Southend airport said it was closed with immediate effect from 4.07pm and that no air traffic control services would be available.

Photos on social media showed that passengers were in the process of boarding an airliner via a flight of steps when the crash happened a few hundred metres away.

easyJet confirmed that its flights scheduled to depart from Southend on Sunday evening had been cancelled.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the incident at London Southend airport this afternoon,” said a spokesman.

“As the airport is currently closed, all remaining flights to and from London Southend today have been diverted to alternative airports or are no longer able to operate.

“We are doing all we can to support our customers and have contacted them directly with options to rebook or receive a refund, and are arranging hotel accommodation and meals for those who require them.”

Aideen Cowling, a mother-of-two, had just got out of her car at the airport when she looked up to see a massive fireball emerging from the wreckage.

The 40-year-old was about to catch a flight for a 10-day summer holiday in Mallorca with her children, aged six and three, and husband, Blair, 44.

She said: “I just saw this massive fireball. By the time I said: Blair, look at that, there was no fireball. He only saw the black smoke.”

Emergency services in the UK have raced to the scene of a small plane crash at London Southend Airport.

No details on where the plane was heading or how many people were on board were immediately disclosed.

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.

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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”.

“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,” he said. “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.”

After the crash, Johnson said the airport’s fire service responded straight away, with two fire engines sent to the crash site, followed by local police, ambulance and fire services.

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Essex Police said it was alerted just before 4pm local time to the “serious incident” at the relatively small airport, which is around 72 kilometres 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.

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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 (local time) were cancelled. Flights, as things stand, are set to resume on Monday.

✕ Close Flight tracker shows moment Southend plane crashed shortly after takeoff

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A small plane has crashed after take-off at Southend Airport, sending a fireball into the sky.

Essex Police and East of England Ambulance Service are responding to the incident at the airport this afternoon.

The passenger plane is a Beechcraft King Air B200 that was leaving the airport for Lelystad in the Netherlands, having arrived from Croatia earlier in the day.

Witness 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”.

In a statement, Essex Police said: “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.”

Labour MP for Southend West, 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.”

EasyJet is among the airlines to use London South Airport as a base. The airline cancelled its four evening flights to Paris, Alicante, Faro and Palma de Mallorca.

A small plane crashed at London Southend Airport, causing a fire. Emergency services are on the scene, and details about passengers are unclear.

www.nbcnews.com

A small plane crash at London Southend Airport has raised concerns among local authorities and the public. The incident occurred on July 13, 2025, just before 4 p.m. local time, prompting a swift response from Essex Police.

6 Key Takeaways Small plane crashed at London Southend Airport.

Incident reported just before 4 p.m.

Images show fire and black smoke.

No information on flight details available.

Emergency services are on the scene.

Local MP urges public to stay away.

Images circulating on social media depict a significant fire and black smoke billowing from the crash site. The plane, measuring 39 feet in length, was reportedly preparing for takeoff, but details about its destination and the number of passengers remain unclear.

Essex Police confirmed they are coordinating with emergency services at the scene, emphasizing the importance of allowing first responders to operate without interference. With local MP David Burton-Sampson urging the public to stay away, the situation is still developing.

Fast Answer: A small plane crash at London Southend Airport raises safety concerns as emergency services respond to the ongoing situation.

This incident raises important questions about aviation safety and emergency preparedness. How can smaller airports enhance their safety protocols? Consider the following points:

Increased training for emergency responders at smaller airports.

Regular safety drills to prepare for potential incidents.

Enhanced communication systems for quicker alerts.

This incident highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures at smaller airports globally.

As investigations continue, it’s crucial for aviation authorities to review and strengthen safety protocols to prevent future incidents. Public awareness and vigilance can also play a key role in ensuring air travel safety.

Inferno Tragedy at London Southend Airport Forces Flight Cancellations, Exposing Fragility of Regional Aviation Networks, New Update You Need To Know

An ordinary afternoon turned into chaos at London’s Southend Airport as an inferno erupted after a small plane crashed moments after takeoff. Flames roared skyward, sending black smoke billowing across the skyline and halting all flight operations in an instant. The airport, usually a hub for smooth regional travel, found itself at the epicenter of a crisis that exposed the fragile threads holding regional aviation networks together.

Passengers were left stranded, staring in disbelief as emergency services battled the blaze and secured the scene. The shockwaves rippled far beyond the runway, shaking traveler confidence and challenging airlines already grappling with a volatile industry. Questions now burn brighter than the flames that lit the tarmac: what caused the crash, and how can regional aviation protect itself from sudden catastrophe? As investigations unfold, the industry braces for the fallout of an event that underscores how swiftly normalcy can vanish from the skies.

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Flames Shatter Calm at Southend

The crash happened just after 4 p.m. local time. Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft banking sharply, then nosediving before hitting the ground and exploding. A plume of fire and thick black smoke surged into the sky. Social media filled with images of the fiery wreckage.

Emergency responders rushed in. Police, fire crews, and paramedics converged on the crash site, working urgently amid searing heat and debris. Authorities swiftly evacuated nearby facilities, including a golf club and rugby club, fearing further hazards.

The plane involved, a small general aviation aircraft roughly 12 meters long, lay in ruins. Details on casualties remain tightly controlled, with officials prioritizing emergency operations and family notifications.

Disruption Reverberates Through Regional Networks

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the crash dealt a staggering blow to Southend Airport’s operations. All remaining flights were canceled as investigations began and the runway remained blocked.

Airlines scrambled to reroute aircraft and inform passengers. Regional carriers relying on Southend’s connectivity faced logistical nightmares. Travelers were left stranded, forced to find alternate transport amid rising summer traffic.

Regional airports like Southend are lifelines for short-haul travel. They handle business flyers, leisure tourists, and critical cargo operations. A single catastrophic event can ripple outward, straining resources across other London airports already operating near capacity.

UK Aviation Under Pressure

This crash arrives at a fragile moment for UK aviation. The industry is still recovering from pandemic-era declines. Demand is surging back, but the sector grapples with pilot shortages, inflation, and volatile fuel costs.

Incidents like Southend’s crash deepen anxiety about safety and resilience. Small airports often operate with lean staffing and tight budgets, making them especially vulnerable when emergencies erupt.

Aviation analysts warn that while such crashes remain rare, the consequences can be massive. Disruption spreads quickly across airspace schedules, airline operations, and passenger plans.

Meanwhile, aviation authorities face rising public scrutiny. Passengers demand answers—and reassurance—that systems remain robust enough to prevent future tragedies.

Impact on Traveler Confidence

Travelers’ emotions ran high in the aftermath. Scenes of flames and black smoke shook confidence in regional flying, especially among leisure travelers who might now think twice before booking smaller carriers from regional hubs.

Flight cancellations triggered a cascade of inconveniences. Holidaymakers lost connections. Business travelers missed meetings. Families scrambled for last-minute hotel rooms. Travel insurance providers braced for claims.

Tourism stakeholders worry about lingering psychological impacts. Vivid images of fireballs and crash debris can linger in travelers’ minds, eroding trust in smaller airports even after safety is restored.

London’s Regional Airports Under Spotlight

London’s aviation ecosystem leans heavily on regional airports like Southend to absorb overflow traffic from Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted. These smaller hubs handle vital point-to-point routes and serve as lifelines for certain airlines.

Any prolonged shutdown threatens broader schedules, aircraft rotations, and airport slot allocations. It can also shift extra pressure onto already congested major hubs, compounding delays and costs for carriers and passengers alike.

Southend, located about 45 miles east of central London, had been steadily rebuilding passenger numbers post-pandemic. The crash now raises questions about how quickly it can restore normal operations and public confidence.

The Economic Fallout

Beyond human costs, the financial impact is stark. Airlines will absorb rebooking costs, compensation claims, and operational upheaval. Local businesses near Southend Airport rely on steady passenger traffic, from taxis and hotels to restaurants and retail outlets.

A single day of closures can mean significant lost revenue for the airport and its partners. Longer investigations or repairs could deepen those losses and slow Southend’s recovery trajectory.

Insurance claims loom large. Aircraft loss, property damage, and liability costs could climb into millions, depending on the final accident investigation’s findings.

Aviation Safety Under the Microscope

As investigators comb through wreckage and flight data, the industry braces for answers. What caused the crash? Was it mechanical failure, pilot error, or an external factor? Each possibility carries implications for aviation policies and regional airport protocols.

Regulators and airport authorities will be under pressure to demonstrate lessons learned. Safety drills, emergency plans, and aircraft inspections are all likely to face renewed scrutiny.

Meanwhile, industry insiders emphasize that flying remains one of the safest modes of travel. However, when rare tragedies like this occur, they resonate deeply, shaking both the public and those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep aviation running smoothly.

Looking Ahead

The path to normality will be challenging for London Southend Airport. Physical repairs, regulatory approvals, and public relations efforts must align before full operations resume. Airlines, passengers, and tourism partners are watching closely.

Yet the industry’s resilience often shines brightest after adversity. Southend Airport has weathered economic downturns, pandemic shutdowns, and shifting airline strategies. Many believe it can rebound again, driven by strong regional demand and London’s enduring status as a global travel magnet.

The Southend crash is a sobering reminder that even in a modern aviation era, sudden disasters can rewrite the script in seconds. For passengers, airlines, and the entire travel sector, the only certainty is that vigilance and adaptability remain essential.

As investigators work through the wreckage, the travel world waits for clarity—and hopes that the skies over London Southend will soon be safe and open once again.

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