Overview

• A private Beech B200 light aircraft crashed seconds after its 4 p.m. departure from London Southend Airport on July 13.
• The accident produced a large fireball and column of black smoke that was captured in social media photos and videos.
• Firefighters, police and ambulance crews secured the scene immediately and remain on site conducting rescue and containment operations.
• The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch has opened a formal inquiry to determine whether a technical failure caused the crash.
• London Southend Airport remains partially closed with some flights diverted and no official casualty figures released.