Four killed in plane crash at Southend Airport: Here’s everything that is known

A tragic plane crash at Southend Airport has left four people dead and brought all flight operations to a halt.

Here’s a full breakdown of everything known so far, including eyewitness accounts, official statements and ongoing investigations.

Latest Update: Friday 18th July

Recovery of the bodies of the people who lost their lives in the tragic SUZ1 flight accident has now been completed. Their remains are now in the care of HM Coroner for formal identification.

The aircraft has also been removed from the airport and is being taken to the AAIB facility (Air Accident Investigation Branch) at Farnborough Airport for further investigation. London Southend Airport has now fully reopened for flights.

A spokesperson for Zeusch Aviation who operated the crashed plane said: “We remain in close cooperation with the investigative authorities and are doing everything possible to support those affected by this tragedy. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. We stand with them in their grief and remain fully committed to supporting them in every possible way.

“At this moment, our full attention is dedicated to ensuring the dignified repatriation of the victims and supporting their families in arranging a respectful farewell.

“During this profoundly difficult time, we pause to reflect and express our sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the recovery or provided support in any form. In particular, we want to acknowledge the Essex Police department, London Southend Airport, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, East of England Ambulance Service Trust, Air Traffic Control and the Air Accident Investigation Branch for their dedication and care. We would like to thank everybody else affected by delays for their patience and understanding.”

The crash: What happened on Sunday 13 July at Southend Airport?

At around 4pm on the afternoon of Sunday 13th July 2025, a small aircraft crashed during takeoff at London Southend Airport, immediately bursting into flames on impact with the ground and triggering a large-scale 999 emergency response.

The Beechcraft Super King Air B200 aircraft was operated by Dutch firm Zeusch Aviation. The aircraft, registration PH-ZAZ and callsign SUZ1, had departed from runway 06 when it lost control seconds after takeoff. Witnesses say the plane banked steeply, inverted mid-air and plunged nose-first into the ground, triggering a massive fireball visible for miles around.

Eyewitnesses described seeing the “huge fireball” erupt next to the runway, with thick smoke visible across Southend-on-Sea and Rochford. The incident was witnessed by many people including passengers boarding nearby easyJet flights, airport ground staff and local residents.

The aircraft involved had earlier flown from Athens to Pula, Croatia, before heading to Southend Airport. It was scheduled to return to its home base in Lelystad on Sunday night.

Dani Hill, who lives near the airport, said: “I saw the huge fireball from my window. I’m still shaking like mad. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

The Bureau of Aircraft Accidents confirmed the details of the crash: “Shortly after takeoff from runway 06 at Southend Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine airplane rolled to the left then entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a grassy area nearby the runway, bursting into flames. The airplane was returning to its base in Lelystad following an ambulance flight from Athens to Southend with an intermediate stop in Pula. All four occupants, two pilots and two passengers, were killed.”

The immediate emergency response at the scene of the Southend Airport crash

London Southend Airport’s own firefighting team responded within minutes. Multiple firefighter crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were also dispatched to support the incident.

Fire crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended the incident.

The London Southend Airport firefighters are believed to have used specialized firefighting foam, specifically Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), which helps to rapidly extinguish aircraft fires. The airport firefighter vehicles are designed to deliver a foam blanket to the scene of an aircraft incident, carrying 8,000 litres of water and 1,000 litres of foam.

Several ambulance crews also arrived quickly at the airport. Police confirmed they were alerted shortly before 4pm and soon after launched a major emergency operation.

A spokesperson for the 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 were sent to Southend Airport responding to reports of an incident involving an airplane.”

In an initial statement, Essex police said: “We are on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport. We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane. As a precaution due to their proximity to the incident, we are evacuating the Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Club.”

Who was onboard the plane that crashed at Southend Airport?

On Monday 14 July, it was confirmed that four people had died in the crash. The four people onboard were two pilots and two passengers. Essex Police stated that they are all foreign nationals. The two pilots are believed to be Dutch nationals. No one on the ground was injured.

The first person to be named who was killed in the crash is Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, aged 31.

Maria was from Chile and had been living in Germany for a number of years, working as a nurse in a hospital. She got married last year.

It was the first day of her new job working as a nurse with the private medical company that operated the plane. Her friends said she was the “kindest soul” and that she “didn’t have a single bad bone in her body”.

“Her charisma, love, humour, and kindness, which characterised her as a person, will remain alive in our memories and in our hearts forever,” they added.

Maria had studied to be a nurse at the University of Development in Santiago, Chile. She then worked at the Helios Hospital in Siegburg, Germany, until she joined the private air medical company recently.

Doctor Matthias Eyl was on board the medical plane.

The second person to be named who sadly died was named by friends as Dr Matthias Eyl, who regularly worked with the Red Cross. He leaves behind a son.

Dr Eyl, aged 46, was from Germany, where he worked as a paramedic and was also employed as a doctor aboard international flights that were transporting patients.

The German Red Cross said in a statement: “We are deeply shocked and infinitely saddened by the sudden death of our esteemed emergency paramedic Matthias Eyl, who died in a plane crash yesterday at the age of just 46 years old.

“Matthias has been in service with us over many years: as a doctor, comrade and friend. With his warm, honest, and humorous nature, he has not only provided medical assistance but shaped our community.

“He was a man who listened, tackled and encouraged. Exactly when it came down to it. His commitment was not taken for granted, his loss is immeasurable. We lose not only a reliable doctor, but above all a special person. Our thoughts are with his family and all those close to him. Take care, Matthias. We will never forget you”

Floris Rhee has been named as the co-pilot of the crashed plane.

The third person who died in the Southend plane crash was named by friends as 24-year-old Floris Rhee. The co-pilot had been working for Zeusch Aviation based in Lelystad, Netherlands for just one year, after completing his flight training in Norway in 2023.

His friends said he had dreamed of being a pilot from a young age, and he had aspirations to one day fly for larger airlines such as KLM. Friends of the young pilot held a memorial service for him in Emmeloord, Netherlands earlier in the week.

He was one of the two pilots flying the plane that had departed Southend Airport heading to its home base at Lelystad Airport.

The flying school where Floris trained released a statement on Thursday. A spokesperson said: “EPST (European Pilot Selection & Training) is deeply saddened by the news that one of its former students has died in last Sunday’s Zeusch Aviation crash in London Southend.

“After this terrible news, our thoughts primarily go out to the family and the employees of Zeusch Aviation. Of course, we also wish family, friends and former students all the strength to bear this loss.”

What police and authorities have said about the Southend Airport crash

Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin of Essex Police said: “In these very early stages it is vital we gather the information we need, and continue supporting the people of Essex. 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… but it is vital for all involved that this investigation is carried out thoroughly and correctly.”

Essex Police set up a dedicated public portal and phoneline for those with information or who had questions:

  • From the UK: 0800 0961011
  • From abroad: +44 20 7158 0126

On Wednesday 16 July, Chief Superintendent Morgan Cronin issued an update. He said: “I’d like to thank every agency involved in this complex investigative process. Additionally, thank you to London Southend Airport, Rochford Hundred Golf Club and Westcliff Rugby Football Club – the impact of this and time taken is not lost on us, and their support is greatly appreciated.

“Over the coming hours, emergency services will be leaving this site and the airport will be able to begin operations again. Our work is very much ongoing away from the site, and our investigation in parallel with the AAIB continues.

“We thank the public for their patience and urge anyone affected to seek support from Essex County Council and local healthcare services, with links to their resources below.”

Disaster Victim Identification is underway, led by His Majesty’s Coroner and supported by emergency services and the AAIB.

It is complex work, overseen by a panel of experts which is chaired by HM Coroner. This process uses forensic methods like DNA, fingerprints, and tattoos, with families kept informed by Family Liaison Officers in their home nations.

Statement from London Southend Airport following the crash

London Southend Airport first issued a public update on Sunday night: “Due to a serious incident today at London Southend Airport, we regret to advise that the Airport is closed until further notice. All flights to and from the Airport have been cancelled while Police, emergency services and air accident investigators are attending the incident. Our thoughts are with those affected by today’s events and all passengers impacted by this disruption.”

On Thursday 17 July, the airport issued an update: “London Southend Airport is today returning to full commercial operation following Sunday’s tragic air accident and subsequent closure. Our airline partners easyJet and Eastern Airways have resumed normal inbound and outbound operations.

“The friends and families of those lost last Sunday continue to be at the forefront of our minds. The location for floral tributes is at the south entrance to St Laurence and All Saints Church, Southend-on-Sea. We’re very grateful to the church for making this possible.

“We would once again like to thank our passengers and local community for their understanding during this time, and encourage anyone affected to seek support from Essex County Council and local healthcare services.”

Flight cancellations and passenger advice: Southend Airport

All flights to and from Southend Airport on Monday 14 July have been cancelled, including all easyJet services. The airport has advised passengers to contact their airline directly for updates and advice.

easyJet has diverted some of its scheduled flights to other airports in the South East, including Gatwick and Luton, due to the ongoing closure of Southend Airport.

Anyone due to fly to or from Southend Airport is urged to contact their airline directly for updates and to make sure their contact details are current so they can receive any alerts or rebooking information.

Although the airport closure is not the fault of the airlines, they still have a duty of care to their passengers. That includes helping you reach your final destination as soon as possible, either by rebooking or arranging alternative transport.

If your flight has been cancelled, you’re entitled to a full refund – but if you accept that refund, the airline then has no further responsibility to assist you with travel arrangements.

Passengers currently stranded abroad due to the disruption should still be provided with food and drink during delays, and hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary. If your airline doesn’t offer vouchers for meals or accommodation, you can claim reasonable costs back afterwards – just make sure to keep receipts and don’t overspend, as claims must be proportionate.

The ongoing investigation into the Southend Airport July 2025 crash

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has confirmed it is leading a full investigation into the crash. A spokesperson said: “A multi-disciplinary team including inspectors with expertise in aircraft operations, human factors, engineering and recorded data arrived at the accident site on Sunday afternoon. Inquiries are ongoing.”

On Monday various personnel from the AAIB were at the scene “gathering the evidence they need to understand the circumstances” of the crash.

Speaking at a press conference outside Southend Airport on Monday 14 July, Lisa Fitzsimons, a senior inspector at the AAIB said it was “too early to speculate on what caused this tragic accident”.

She said that their investigation would run parallel to the investigation that’s being led by Essex Police.

She added: “If there are safety lessons that can learned, they will make recommendations.”

It was also confirmed at the press conference that The Civil Aviation Authority has set up an exclusion zone surrounding the crash site and many witnesses have been helpful in providing video evidence to the investigators.

Response from the UK government

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander issued the following statement: “I’m aware of the tragic incident at Southend Airport this afternoon. My thoughts are with all those involved. The emergency services are on scene and are advising the public to avoid the area where possible. I am monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates.”

On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the people who died. The Prime Minister wrote: “Terrible news that four people tragically lost their lives in yesterday’s plane crash at Southend Airport. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. I also want to thank all the emergency responders who attended the scene.”

Who owned the aircraft that crashed?

Dutch company Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport, confirmed that one of its aircraft – call sign SUZ1 – was “involved in an accident” at Southend.

The company said it is actively supporting investigators and added: “Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.”

Zeusch Aviation’s fleet is used for medical transportation, organ transfers and aerial mapping work.

Measuring approximately 12 meters in length and valued at over £1.4 million, the aircraft can seat six passengers and two crew members.

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