In front of startled families, a small jet ‘nosedived’ and crashed after taking off from London Southend Airport, erupting into a massive fireball.

The 40-foot Beech B200 plane was travelling to the Netherlands from Essex Airport, but it only made it 175 feet before crashing a few yards from the runway.

Social media users have started sharing videos of a black smoke cloud rising into the sky, one of which shows nearby passengers boarding another aircraft.

According to Flightradar, the aircraft to Lelystad, which is east of Amsterdam, was supposed to depart at 3:45 p.m., but it actually took off ten minutes later than planned.

Source: Unsplash
Although the exact number of passengers is unknown, the twin-engine, turboprop aircraft, which is thought to be 31 years old, can accommodate up to 12 people. The pilots were observed waving to kids while the aircraft was taxiing.

Fire engines, ambulances, and Essex Police were all present at the scene. The police have established a special phone line for enquiries or information.

A broad cordon has been erected around the area, residents are being warned to avoid it, and many Easyjet flights from Southend have been cancelled.

John Johnson, who was at the airport with his family when the plane crashed “headfirst into the ground” and burst into a “big fireball,” is one of the families who have been devastated by the traumatic disaster.

The father said, “We all waved at the pilots, and they all waved back at us. 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.”

“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.”

Essex Police’s Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin said, “In these very early stages it is vital we gather the information we need, and continue supporting the people of Essex.”

“Please help us keep our emergency lines open by using these specific channels if you’re contacting us about this incident.”

In addition to directing foreign callers to 0207 1580126 and offering a Major Incident Public Portal, she encouraged the public to phone 0800 0961011.

She added, “We are working closely with all at the scene, as well as the Air Accident Investigation Branch, to establish what has happened today and why.”

“I fully appreciate the desire for more information in this matter, and we will share as much as we can, when we can, throughout our work.”

“But it is vital for all involved that this investigation is carried out thoroughly and correctly, and to do that we will all need time.”

One shaken mother who was watching the planes take off from a Holiday Inn viewing deck with her daughter told Metro, “It was honestly a surreal experience. The plane took off, then around 50 meters it sort of kicked to the left, then around 100 meters it abruptly banked to the left.”

“With that, it basically descended down headfirst and just burst into flames as it hit the ground…It didn’t look like there was time to bail out.”

“Luckily, I think my daughter is too young to know what really happened. I feel for the other kids who were there and witnessed it too. It felt like we were in a bad dream.”

Another witness, John, told the outlet, “The plane took off, and within a few seconds, it had a steep bank to its left. Then it turned into an inverted nosedive, almost, and it crashed into the ground in a big fireball.”

According to Flightradar, the Zeutch Aviation aircraft appeared to have lifted off at roughly 120 mph and climbed to around 175 feet, although data shows that it slowed after leaving the ground and turned north.

The aircraft, which is frequently utilised for mapping and medical travel, had made two trips that day: from Athens, Greece, to Pula, Croatia, and from Pula to Southend. At 2.51 p.m., it touched down in the United Kingdom.

According to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, no one has reached out to the Hague’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for assistance.

Dani Hill, who lives near Southend 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.”

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. Absolutely tragic. Was waving to the aircrew just moments before.”

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.”

According to reports, the Rochford Hundred Golf Club was evacuated as a “precaution” because of its close proximity to the explosion.

Next to Southend Airport, at the Rochford Hundred Golf Club, a barman reported feeling a “big heat wave” before he looked up to see a “massive fireball” in the sky.

Despite early reports, the chairman of Westcliff Rugby Club, located close to Southend Airport, stated that club members did not ultimately have to evacuate after the jet accident.

Pete Jones said, “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.”

According to Mr. Jones, the plane crashed 1,100 yards from the clubhouse, and smoke was visible to those nearby.

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 claimed that after being gathered from the course, he and the others were brought back to the clubhouse, where they are currently kept at a “safe distance” because the club is closed.

Easyjet has cancelled a number of flights from Southend, including flights to Paris at 3:55 p.m., Alicante at 4.30 p.m., Faro at 5.25 p.m., and Palma de Mallorca at 5.30 p.m.

According to the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives, a Beechcraft 200 had before crashed at Southend Airport, killing its pilot on takeoff in 1987.

An airport spokesperson said, “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.”

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.”

“We were called to an incident involving a light aircraft at Southend Airport today at 3.58pm,” the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service stated in a statement.

“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.”

While this work is being done, please stay away from the area if you can.