⚠️ Catastrophic Crash & Immediate Aftermath
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, around 3:48 p.m. BST, a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air medical-charter aircraft registered PH‑ZAZ, operated by Zeusch Aviation, crashed mere seconds after takeoff from London Southend Airport, en route to Lelystad, Netherlands .
Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft initially banked sharply, then inverted, before plunging nose-first and exploding into a massive fireball, sending thick black smoke soaring high into the sky .
😱 Harrowing Eyewitness Accounts
John Johnson, a passenger observer, recalled:
> “They banked left, inverted very fast… there was a big fireball.”
Dani Hill, nearby resident, said:
> “I saw the huge fireball from my window. I’m still shaking like mad. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
James Philpott, at Rochford Hundred Golf Club, described feeling a wave of heat and seeing flames 100 ft in the air .
---
🚨 Rescue Operations & Airport Shutdown
First responders included Essex Police, East of England Ambulance Service, Essex Fire & Rescue, and an air ambulance. Four ambulances, HART teams, and senior paramedic units were dispatched .
A cordon was established, evacuating Rochford Hundred Golf Club and briefly Westcliff Rugby Club, as a safety measure .
London Southend Airport was immediately closed until further notice, grounding or diverting flights including all EasyJet services .
---
✈️ The Aircraft & Mission Details
The twin‑turboprop Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, approximately 12 m long, is typically used for short-haul charters and medical evacuations .
The flight, SUZ1, had flown from Athens to Pula (Croatia) earlier and was scheduled for Lelystad, NL, before the crash .
Zeusch Aviation, based in the Netherlands, confirmed involvement and pledged full cooperation in the ongoing investigation .
---
🔍 Current Investigation & Unknowns
The crash site is being examined by emergency services in tandem with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and Essex Police .
As of now, no official information has emerged about casualties or the number of people on board .
---
🚁 What Comes Next?
AAIB & Police will release a preliminary report within days or weeks, followed by a detailed investigation, focusing on mechanical failure, pilot actions, or environmental factors.
Southend Airport remains shut; affected passengers are advised to contact their airlines for updates .
Zeusch Aviation has committed to updating the public, stating they are actively supporting the probe .
---
📌 Final Take
This disaster unfolded in a breathtaking flash—from a routine takeoff to a fiery disaster within seconds. Though consummate professionals were at the controls and trained military-type aircraft technology was employed, tragedy can strike in an instant. With witnesses stunned and authorities piecing together evidence, the world awaits answers: How could such a mission end in flames so catastrophically—and were any lives lost?
Stay tuned as this develops.
Comments