Authorities have identified Floris Rhee as the co-pilot who tragically passed away in the Southend Airport plane crash, find out more about her below
Rhee was one of four people on board a medical flight that recently ended in disaster alongside the captain, a doctor, and a nurse.
Floris Rhee was one of two pilots flying the Beechcraft B200 Super King Air plane when it crashed off the end of the airport’s runway on Sunday.
All four of the plane’s passengers were confirmed to have died in the crash, with nurse Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, and doctor Mathias Eyl, 46, both German, previously named but the other Dutch pilot hasn’t been named yet.
Who is Floris Rhee, co-pilot of Beechcraft B200 Super King Air medical jet killed in Southend, London Airport plane crash accident
The third person to have tragically died in the crash at Southend Airport has been named by friends as 24-year-old Floris Rhee.
The co-pilot had been working for Zeusch Aviation based in Lelystad, Netherlands for just one year, after completing his flight training in Norway in… pic.twitter.com/VWmwcB332k
— Your Southend (@YourSouthend) July 18, 2025
According to eyewitnesses, the plane crashed into a massive “fireball” with thick plumes of black smoke following.
Floris Rhee identified as co-pilot in Southend Airport plane crash
Authorities have identified Floris Rhee as the Zeusch Aviation first officer who was the co-pilot who died in the Southend Airport plane crash. Rhee had been flying a medical transport mission when the aircraft crashed just shortly after takeoff at around 4 p.m. on Sunday. The crash took place within the airport’s perimeter, killing all four of the people on board.
Tributes and condolences
Following the news about the tragic death, EPST managing director Eric Duijkers issued a statement saying:
EPST is deeply saddened by the news that one of its former students has died in last Sunday’s Zeusch Aviation crash in London Southend. Our thoughts go out to the family and employees of Zeusch Aviation.”
Meanwhile, Zeusch Aviation also released a statement saying:
It is with deep sadness that we confirm there were no survivors among the people on board flight SUZ1. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and loved ones.”
One netizen wrote:
RIP to the brave crew who lost their lives while serving others. Fly high, Floris.”
Another user added:
Heartbreaking to lose such dedicated professionals. Praying for the families.”
Floris Rhee biography
Floris Rhee who was a 24 year old Dutch pilot was a dedicated aviation professional who served as First Officer at Dutch charter airline Zeusch Aviation. Rhee was known for his calm demeanor and professionalism in the cockpit, and he was well-regarded by his colleagues and instructors.
Floris had been working for Zeusch Aviation, based in the Netherlands, for one year before last weekend’s tragic crash and was one of two Dutch pilots on the plane, which was returning to its base at Lelystad Airport in the Netherlands when it crashed.
Age and height
Floris Rhee was aged 24 during the time of his death and he was around 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
Education
Floris Rhee completed his pilot training through the European Pilot Selection and Training (EPST) academy. The program is renowned for producing highly skilled commercial aviators across Europe.
A spokesman for the flight school said: “European Pilot Selection and Training is deeply saddened by the news that one of its former students has died in last Sunday’s Zeusch Aviation crash in London Southend.”
Career
Following his graduation from EPST, Rhee secured a role with Zeusch Aviation, building a promising career in aviation. He joined Zeusch Aviation as a First Officer, which is a company that specializes in medical flights, private charters, and aerial work. Rhee frequently flew missions involving patient transport and urgent medical needs and he was part of a tight-knit team dedicated to saving lives through aviation.
Wife and children
As of now, there is currently no publicly available information confirming whether Floris Rhee was married or had children during the time of his death.