London Plane Crash: A tragic light aircraft crash at London Southend Airport on Sunday afternoon claimed at least one life, after eyewitnesses described the pilot waving at children moments before the plane nosedived into the ground in a fiery explosion shortly after takeoff. John Johnson, who was at the airport with his wife and kids, indicated they waved hello to the pilots just before the plane started its ill-fated takeoff roll. “We all waved at the pilots, and the pilots all waved back at us,” Johnson said to local media. “Then the plane powered up, rolled off the end of the runway, and took off. But a couple of seconds later, it made a hard left bank, turned on its side, and headed straight down. There was a massive fireball,” he added.
Aircraft Crashes Seconds After Takeoff
The accident took place at around 3:58 p.m. Witnesses reported looking on as the plane, estimated to be around 12 metres (39 feet) in length, flipped over and crashed head-first into the ground. It was visible for miles as a column of black smoke, with flights at Southend Airport being indefinitely suspended. Photos and videos posted on social media indicated thick black smoke billowing close to the runway, with emergency services racing to the site.
London Southend Airport confirmed that a general aviation aircraft was involved in the crash and that all flights were suspended as police and air accident investigators arrived on the scene. Four commercial afternoon flights were cancelled as a precaution. “All flights arriving at and departing the airport have been cancelled while police, emergency services and air accident investigators are dealing with the incident,” Southend Airport said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
Staff and players at Rochford Hundred Golf Club, which shares a boundary with the airport, experienced the shockwave from the impact. Barman James Philpott at the golf club recalled the frightening experience, “I was standing in a hut when I heard this huge heat wave go through. I looked up and there was this huge fireball high up above me, maybe 100 feet. It was like I was being cooked.” The golf course was evacuated straight away as emergency services set up a large perimeter around the scene of the crash.
Huge Emergency Response Team Deployed
The East of England Ambulance Service said it sent four ambulances, a rapid response vehicle, four hazardous area response teams, three senior paramedics, and an air ambulance. Southend, Rayleigh Weir, Basildon, Billericay, and Chelmsford fire crews were sent to contain the fire and cordon off the area in off-road vehicles. Essex Fire and Rescue Service added that it was cooperating closely with police, aviation partners, and other emergency responders.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that she is receiving regular updates on the situation and requested people to stay away from the area while investigations remain ongoing. My thoughts are with all concerned,” she tweeted on X. “Emergency services are working hard at the scene and I ask members of the public to remain clear to enable them to do their job safely,” she added. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) will provide further information over the next few days as authorities try to ascertain what led to the loss of control on the aircraft shortly after takeoff. Authorities have asked people to stay away from London Southend Airport until further notice. Airport officials said they are coordinating closely with all relevant agencies and will update passengers and the public as more information becomes available.
