Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Whenever we lose an aviator we know, or if an accident happens at our airfield, with the same type of aircraft, or just in local airspace, it can have a profound effect. Unfortunately our pastime carries risk, but we become a little complacent about it over time I think.
A couple of weeks ago, there was a terrible crash at Southend Airport, involving commercial pilots flying a King Air medical transport aircraft. It's an airport I know fairly well and I found news of the incident and the speed that the tragedy unfolded, really difficult to process. I was also conscious of the effect the crash would have on the families and friends of those who died, as well as those who work at the airport and the first responders who attended the crash scene.
A week or so after the crash, I had to fly to Southend - my DME was being looked at by an avionics company there - and it was hard not to think about those four people who died. The incident also made me take my pre-flight checks and 'departure brief' more seriously.
This video in no way discusses the possible causes of the crash, nor shows any crash imagery, but it's a sensitive reflection on the tragedy and the risks we take as pilots.
I make inspirational videos about my flying adventures around the UK and Europe. I have a dream too, to one day fly my PA28 across the Atlantic to the USA. Subscribe to my channel for more inspirational flying vlogs and honest post-flight debrief videos.
About me: jonhunt.net
Bonus content on Patreon: patreon.com/join/theflyingreporter
Facebook: facebook.com/theflyingreporter
Instagram: instagram.com/flyingreporteruk
My channel advertisers and sponsors
I'm most grateful for the guidance and support of Aero Anglia - A light aircraft maintenance organisation at Elmsett in Suffolk. The nicest and thorough aircraft engineers I've come across.
aeroanglia.com
I've recently partnered with Aerobytes to promote their services to commercial aviation. Aerobytes is fanatical about flight safety - a passion close to my heart. Aerobytes provide Flight Data Monitoring services to the airlines.
aerobytes.co.uk
AOPA has supported me for many, many months now. They work so hard to promote our interests as private pilots and I'm happy to endorse AOPA UK's mission to secure our freedom to fly. Get a 25% discount on your AOPA UK membership.
aopa.co.uk/flying-reporter-discount-membership-offer
For all my licence revalidations, tests, and flight training I turn to the team at Anglian Flight Centres. It's a friendly flight training organisation (ATO) based at Earls Colne in Essex. With its hard and grass runways and open airspace, it's a great place to learn to fly.
anglianflightcentres.co.uk
Before CloudbaseGA, my aircraft log books were a work of fiction. Now that I have one of their automatic flight loggers fitted, all my trips are recorded automatically and updated to a cloud server. It's a great solution for flying schools, clubs or aircraft shares.
https://www.cloudbasega.aero/
If you should ever need your engine overhauled, require a shock load inspection, or general advice about the operation of your engine, contact Norvic Aero Engines. I only partner with companies who treat their customers fairly and offer good service. I am thrilled to be working with Norvic and I am delighted to be able to endorse their services.
norvic.com
Before I had my propeller dynamically balanced by Proptech, I used to experience quite a lot of vibration in the cruise. Proptech came to my airfield with their equipment and after a short time they'd tuned-up my prop so that the cruise is silky smooth (turbulence permitting!)
https://proptech.aero/
I keep my aeroplane clean and dry in-between flights by using a custom-made cover from Vertigo Covers. The Hampshire-based company prides itself on excellent customer service, an attention to detail, modern designs and materials and covers that are lightweight and affordable.
vertigocovers.co.uk
00:00 Introduction
02:40 Vital actions
05:39 Departure brief (Eventualities)
06:50 Take off
09:16 AOPA UK news update
12:37 Calling Southend Radar
14:52 Expectation bias example
15:58 The crash playing on my mind
17:52 Entering controlled airspace
18:58 Contacting TOWER
19:55 Downwind - gear down
21:00 Turning FINAL to land
21:32 Landing
22:13 Final thoughts
#generalaviation #tragedy #southend #crash #kingair #tragedy #flying #privatepilot #pilot #atc #airtrafficcontrol #aviation #pa28 #flight #debrief #travel
Whenever we lose an aviator we know, or if an accident happens at our airfield, with the same type of aircraft, or just in local airspace, it can have a profound effect. Unfortunately our pastime carries risk, but we become a little complacent about it over time I think.
A couple of weeks ago, there was a terrible crash at Southend Airport, involving commercial pilots flying a King Air medical transport aircraft. It's an airport I know fairly well and I found news of the incident and the speed that the tragedy unfolded, really difficult to process. I was also conscious of the effect the crash would have on the families and friends of those who died, as well as those who work at the airport and the first responders who attended the crash scene.
A week or so after the crash, I had to fly to Southend - my DME was being looked at by an avionics company there - and it was hard not to think about those four people who died. The incident also made me take my pre-flight checks and 'departure brief' more seriously.
This video in no way discusses the possible causes of the crash, nor shows any crash imagery, but it's a sensitive reflection on the tragedy and the risks we take as pilots.
I make inspirational videos about my flying adventures around the UK and Europe. I have a dream too, to one day fly my PA28 across the Atlantic to the USA. Subscribe to my channel for more inspirational flying vlogs and honest post-flight debrief videos.
About me: jonhunt.net
Bonus content on Patreon: patreon.com/join/theflyingreporter
Facebook: facebook.com/theflyingreporter
Instagram: instagram.com/flyingreporteruk
My channel advertisers and sponsors
I'm most grateful for the guidance and support of Aero Anglia - A light aircraft maintenance organisation at Elmsett in Suffolk. The nicest and thorough aircraft engineers I've come across.
aeroanglia.com
I've recently partnered with Aerobytes to promote their services to commercial aviation. Aerobytes is fanatical about flight safety - a passion close to my heart. Aerobytes provide Flight Data Monitoring services to the airlines.
aerobytes.co.uk
AOPA has supported me for many, many months now. They work so hard to promote our interests as private pilots and I'm happy to endorse AOPA UK's mission to secure our freedom to fly. Get a 25% discount on your AOPA UK membership.
aopa.co.uk/flying-reporter-discount-membership-offer
For all my licence revalidations, tests, and flight training I turn to the team at Anglian Flight Centres. It's a friendly flight training organisation (ATO) based at Earls Colne in Essex. With its hard and grass runways and open airspace, it's a great place to learn to fly.
anglianflightcentres.co.uk
Before CloudbaseGA, my aircraft log books were a work of fiction. Now that I have one of their automatic flight loggers fitted, all my trips are recorded automatically and updated to a cloud server. It's a great solution for flying schools, clubs or aircraft shares.
https://www.cloudbasega.aero/
If you should ever need your engine overhauled, require a shock load inspection, or general advice about the operation of your engine, contact Norvic Aero Engines. I only partner with companies who treat their customers fairly and offer good service. I am thrilled to be working with Norvic and I am delighted to be able to endorse their services.
norvic.com
Before I had my propeller dynamically balanced by Proptech, I used to experience quite a lot of vibration in the cruise. Proptech came to my airfield with their equipment and after a short time they'd tuned-up my prop so that the cruise is silky smooth (turbulence permitting!)
https://proptech.aero/
I keep my aeroplane clean and dry in-between flights by using a custom-made cover from Vertigo Covers. The Hampshire-based company prides itself on excellent customer service, an attention to detail, modern designs and materials and covers that are lightweight and affordable.
vertigocovers.co.uk
00:00 Introduction
02:40 Vital actions
05:39 Departure brief (Eventualities)
06:50 Take off
09:16 AOPA UK news update
12:37 Calling Southend Radar
14:52 Expectation bias example
15:58 The crash playing on my mind
17:52 Entering controlled airspace
18:58 Contacting TOWER
19:55 Downwind - gear down
21:00 Turning FINAL to land
21:32 Landing
22:13 Final thoughts
#generalaviation #tragedy #southend #crash #kingair #tragedy #flying #privatepilot #pilot #atc #airtrafficcontrol #aviation #pa28 #flight #debrief #travel
