What began as a cheerful moment quickly turned into horror at London Southend Airport, when a small aircraft crashed in a fiery explosion just seconds after takeoff on Sunday afternoon.
John Johnson, who was at the airport with his wife and children, described the chilling moment he and others waved to the pilots.
“We all waved at the pilots, and they waved back,” Johnson recalled. “Then the plane accelerated down the runway, lifted off—and seconds later, it suddenly banked left, flipped upside down, and nose-dived straight into the ground. There was a massive fireball.”
Scene Turns Chaotic as Fireball Erupts Near Runway
The crash occurred at approximately 3:58 p.m., sending thick black smoke billowing above the airfield. Emergency services immediately descended on the scene, treating the incident as a serious aviation emergency.
Southend Airport confirmed that the aircraft was a general aviation plane, not a commercial flight. Four commercial flights were cancelled in the aftermath as all airport operations were halted.
Shock Felt Across Nearby Golf Course
At the Rochford Hundred Golf Club adjacent to the airport, golfers and staff reported feeling the force of the explosion. The facility was evacuated shortly after.
“I was in a hut when a huge wave of heat rushed through,” said James Philpott, a bartender at the course. “I looked up and saw a massive fireball shoot 100 feet into the air. It felt like I was cooking.”
Philpott said some people instinctively ran toward the crash, desperate to help or find survivors.
Massive Emergency Response Deployed
The East of England Ambulance Service dispatched an extensive emergency response team, including:
- 4 ambulances
- 1 rapid response vehicle
- 4 hazardous area response teams
- 3 senior paramedics
- 1 air ambulance
Fire crews from Southend, Rayleigh Weir, Basildon, Billericay, and Chelmsford were also on scene, many with off-road support vehicles. Essex Fire and Rescue confirmed they were coordinating efforts with police, ambulance teams, and aviation officials.
Investigation Underway
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she is receiving continuous updates and offered her condolences to those affected.
“My thoughts are with everyone involved,” she posted on X, urging the public to stay clear of the area.
Southend Airport said it is cooperating with authorities and will release additional information as soon as it becomes available. Investigators have yet to confirm the cause of the crash, and it’s unclear how many people were onboard at the time.
