Southend airport shut and flights grounded after small plane crashes in flames

Witnesses describe the aircraft leaning to the left shortly after takeoff before crashing

London Southend airport has been closed and flights cancelled after a small plane crashed into a fireball shortly after takeoff.

The Beechcraft B200 aircraft crashed about 4pm on Sunday, soon after taking off from the airport, which is in Essex. The plane was seen in flames with dark smoke billowing from it, according to witnesses and photos circulating on social media.