Zeusch Aviation confirms crash of flight SUZ1 at Southend Airport, UK
Pictured is a Beechcraft King Air, unconnected to Zeusch Aviation.
Zeusch Aviation has confirmed the crash of one its aircraft shortly after take off at London Southend Airport, Essex in the south east of the UK yesterday [Sunday July 13th].
The number of passengers and crew aboard the aircraft remains undisclosed. The aircraft itself – tail reg: PH-ZAZ – is a Beech B200 Super King Air. It had arrived at Southend Airport earlier yesterday afternoon from Pula, Croatia.
“We can confirm that Zeusch Aviation flight SUZ1 was involved in an accident today at London Southend Airport,” said the medevac operator in a statement. “We are actively supporting the authorities with the investigation and will provide updates on this page as more information becomes available. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.”
The airport remained closed overnight and into this morning after the aircraft crashed shortly before 16:00 BST on Sunday.
During a press conference earlier this afternoon, Jude Winstanley, CEO, London Southend Airport, said: “On behalf of everyone at London Southend Airport, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those lost in yesterday’s tragic incident. We would also like to thank our local community for their messages of support and understanding at this difficult time. Our staff are working closely with the emergency services and air accident investigators to support their work – I would like to thank them all for their hard work during this period.
“We are in constant dialogue with our operating airlines and, as I’m sure everyone will understand, the airport will remain closed until further notice – passengers should contact their airline for information and advice.”
In addition to medevac flights, Zeusch Aviation also conducts transplant flights, private charters, aerial mapping and relay flights with broadcast networks to support aerial filming for a variety of events. The company is based at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands.
Amongst its fleet of 14 aircraft, the company operates two models of Beechcraft King Air aircraft – the B200 and the C90A. The B200 can be used for medevac and organ transport. In medevac configuration, the King Air B200 carries a Lifeport PLUS-system which incorporates a stretcher for a single patient and high-tech medical equipment. Patient care is administered typically by two clinicians depending on the nature of the mission.
The King Air B200 can carry up to nine passengers and uses a two-person crew, according to the operator.
The UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed today it has started an investigation into the accident and sent a team of investigators to Southend.
Meanwhile, the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) said it was deeply saddened to learn of the accident. “Our immediate thoughts are with those affected, and we join in expressing full solidarity with the crew and their families,” it said.
Safety remains the cornerstone of business aviation in Europe, said the association in a statement. “We commend the swift mobilisation of UK emergency services – including Essex Police, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch [AAIB], fire brigades, air ambulances and medical responders – as these critical resources support those in need and secure the airfield.”
The association said it will continue to monitor the situation and offer any support required to ensure safe operations and lessons learned across the sector.
