ALARMING New Findings: Fatal 90° Left Bank at Low Altitude — The Shocking Truth Behind the London Southend Airport Crash
On July 13, 2025, a catastrophic plane crash at London Southend Airport claimed the lives of all four people aboard a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, operated by Zeusch Aviation. The medical transport aircraft, which had just dropped off a patient and was bound for Lelystad, Netherlands, crashed moments after takeoff, erupting into a fireball. New findings from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), reported on July 15, 2025, reveal a critical detail: the aircraft executed a fatal 90° left bank at an alarmingly low altitude of just 175 feet, leading to an inverted nosedive. This article delves into these alarming findings, the potential causes behind the crash, and why the true reason is more shocking than initially anticipated, drawing parallels to other aviation tragedies like Air India Flight 171.
The Crash: A Devastating Sequence
The Beechcraft B200, a twin-turboprop aircraft, took off from Southend Airport at 3:48 p.m. on July 13, 2025, after arriving from Pula, Croatia, earlier that day. According to Flightradar24 data, the plane climbed to a mere 175 feet before it began a sharp 90° left bank, an unusual maneuver for a low-altitude climb-out. Eyewitness John Johnson, who was at the airport with his family, described the scene to The Independent: “It took off and about three or four seconds after, it started to bank heavily to its left, then more or less inverted and crashed headfirst into the ground. There was a big fireball.” The crash, within the airport boundary, killed two Dutch pilots, a Chilean-born German flight nurse, Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz (31), on her first day in the role, and a European male medical professional, whose identity remains undisclosed pending family notification.
The aircraft, valued at up to £1.47 million, was equipped for medical evacuations, a specialty of Zeusch Aviation, based at Lelystad Airport. The crash prompted an immediate response from Essex Police, fire services, and ambulances, with the airport closed indefinitely and flights rerouted.
New Findings: The 90° Left Bank
Preliminary AAIB findings, shared at a July 14 press conference, indicate the aircraft’s steep 90° left bank occurred within seconds of takeoff, at an altitude too low to recover. Senior inspector Lisa Fitzsimons emphasized it was “too early to speculate” on the cause, but the extreme maneuver suggests a critical failure or error. The plane’s rapid inversion and nosedive align with witness accounts, such as plane spotter Johnson’s report to RTL, noting the bank was “a lot faster than usual” and occurred at just 100 meters altitude. This is corroborated by social media posts, including one from @aviationbrk on July 14, describing the plane “crashing headfirst” after the bank.
The 90° bank at low altitude is particularly alarming because it deviates from standard takeoff procedures, where aircraft typically climb steadily before turning. Aviation safety expert Yuvraj Tyagi, quoted by The Logical Indian, noted that factors like maintenance history, pilot decisions, and weight distribution are under scrutiny. The Beechcraft B200, known for its reliability in medical and charter roles, has a strong safety record, but a similar crash occurred at Southend on September 12, 1987, involving another B200, raising questions about recurring issues.
Potential Causes: Mechanical, Human, or Environmental?
The shocking nature of the crash lies in the interplay of possible causes, none of which fully explain the extreme maneuver:
Mechanical Failure: The Beechcraft B200’s twin engines or flight control systems, such as ailerons or rudders, could have malfunctioned, causing an uncommanded bank. The AAIB is examining maintenance records, as the aircraft’s history may reveal overlooked issues. A 1987 Southend crash involving a B200 suggests potential vulnerabilities, though modern models have updated systems. The absence of prior mechanical reports from Zeusch Aviation complicates this theory.
Pilot Error or Incapacitation: The Dutch pilot and co-pilot, experienced in medical evacuations, waved to spectators before takeoff, indicating no immediate distress. However, a sudden medical event, like incapacitation, or a misjudged maneuver could have triggered the bank. The AAIB’s human factors team is analyzing cockpit voice and flight data recorders to assess pilot actions. The three-second window between takeoff and the bank leaves little room for deliberate error, making incapacitation a possibility.
Environmental or External Factors: The crash occurred during a heatwave, which witness Sunny Cook initially mistook for a grass fire. High temperatures can reduce engine performance and lift, particularly for a fully loaded aircraft, but the B200 was carrying only four people, well below its nine-passenger capacity. The A-52 motorway crash involving Diogo Jota, linked to a tyre blowout, raises parallels about road surface issues, but Southend’s runway was reported in good condition.
Weight Distribution or Cargo Issues: As a medical transport plane, the B200 may have carried equipment that shifted during takeoff, destabilizing the aircraft. The AAIB is investigating whether improper loading contributed to the bank, though Zeusch Aviation’s experience in medical flights suggests adherence to protocols.
Parralels to Air India Flight 171
The Southend crash draws eerie parallels to the Air India Flight 171 disaster on June 12, 2025, where a Boeing 787-8 veered 12° off course and crashed 30 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260. In that case, fuel-cutoff switches were manually flipped three seconds apart, an action pilots denied, suggesting possible mechanical or human factors. Both crashes involve sudden, catastrophic deviations at low altitude, raising questions about cockpit automation, human error, or undetected system failures. The ignored 2018 FAA advisory on Air India’s fuel switches mirrors potential oversight in the B200’s maintenance, though no specific advisories have been linked to this crash.
The Human Toll and Investigation
Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz, described as the “kindest soul” by friend Anna Smith, was on her first day as a flight nurse, having married in February 2024. A GoFundMe page aims to raise €7,500 for her family, reflecting her selflessness. The Dutch pilots and the unnamed medical professional are being identified, with Essex Police treating them with “utmost respect.” The AAIB, supported by the Dutch Safety Board, has deployed eight inspectors to analyze wreckage, flight data, and witness videos. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander expressed condolences, with the airport’s closure disrupting easyJet flights.
Why It’s Shocking
The 90° bank at 175 feet is a rare and extreme event, suggesting a sudden, uncontrollable failure or error. Unlike typical crashes involving gradual loss of control, this maneuver’s speed and severity—within seconds of takeoff—point to a critical breakdown. The B200’s reliability, Zeusch Aviation’s expertise, and the pilots’ pre-takeoff engagement with spectators deepen the mystery, ruling out obvious distress. The crash’s similarity to historical incidents, like the 1987 Southend B200 crash, and recent tragedies, like Air India Flight 171, amplifies concerns about systemic issues in aviation safety, from maintenance to pilot training. Public sentiment on X, including @ESNReport’s post about the crash’s tragedy, reflects shock and calls for answers.
Looking Forward
The AAIB’s investigation, paralleled by Essex Police, aims to identify safety lessons to prevent future tragedies. The crash has reignited debates about small aircraft safety, particularly for medical missions, and the need for rigorous maintenance checks. As Southend Airport remains closed, the community mourns, with tributes like those from MP David Burton-Sampson emphasizing solidarity. The loss of Maria Fernanda and her colleagues underscores the risks of medical aviation, while the 90° bank remains a haunting clue to a disaster more shocking than expected.
