A small Beech B200 plane crashed just after takeoff at London Southend Airport, bursting into a massive fireball only 175 feet off the ground. The aircraft, heading to the Netherlands, “banked heavily to its left… more or less inverted and crashed,” said witness John Johnson. Social media showed black smoke rising and shocked passengers nearby.

Witnesses described the horror as “surreal.” A mother watching with her daughter said the plane “abruptly banked” and “burst into flames… It didn’t look like there was time to bail out.” The plane, often used for mapping and medical travel, had earlier flown from Greece to Croatia, then to the UK.

Emergency services rushed to the scene. Essex Police set up a special phone line, and the Air Accident Investigation Branch is now investigating. “We are working closely… to establish what has happened today and why,” said Chief Supt. Morgan Cronin.

Nearby areas were affected, with EasyJet cancelling several flights and parts of a golf club evacuated. A local said he felt a “big heat wave” before seeing the fireball.

Southend Airport confirmed the “serious incident,” adding they’re cooperating with authorities. The situation remains under investigation, and officials urge the public to avoid the area.