A small plane has crashed after takeoff from Southern Airport, exploding into a huge fireball metres from the runway.
The small Beech B200 aircraft was reportedly heading to the Netherlands but images of a blaze at the airport have been circulating on social media.
Footage has also been seen of a black plume of smoke billowing up to a hundred metres into the sky.
The flight to Lelystad was scheduled to take off at 3.45pm but after a ten minute delay it appears to have veered off the runway, according to Flightradar.
Essex police, ambulances and fire engines are at the scene and people are being advised to stay away from the area.
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.
A small plane has crashed, exploding into a fireball after takeoff from Southern Airport
The small Beech B200 aircraft was reportedly heading to the Netherlands but images of a huge fire with black smoke metres from the runway have been circulating on social media
A huge plume of black smoke was seen coming off the runway
A huge cloud of black smoke was seen billowing from the side of the runway
The smoke clouds could be seen from the car park
The small Beech B200 aircraft was scheduled to take off at 3.45pm but after a ten minute delay it appears to have veered off the runway (stock photo)
A fire engine was seen at Southend Airport
‘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.’
This is a breaking story, more to follow.
