Athens International Airport organises emergency exercises on an annual basis, aiming to test its Emergency Plan and ensure the highest level of safety, readiness, training, and coordination of all parties involved in emergency situations. The Partial Scale Emergency Exercise 2009 “Aircraft’s Accident on the Airport”, which was conducted successfully today, Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, in the context of AIA’s regular emergency exercises in compliance with the obligations arising from the ICAO regulations. Besides Athens International Airport S.A., the following entities participated in the exercise:
- Exercise Scenario -
“On the basis of the exercise scenario, an accident occurs on a home base airliner operating a commercial flight, with an ERJ-145 (Embraer) aircraft, having 3-crew and 32 passengers on board. According to the scenario, while the aircraft proceeds with take-off roll, (at 11:00) the aircraft experiences an engine fire that resulted in a rejected take-off. The aircraft comes to a rest on the runway with a fire both in engine and main lading gear. Aircraft’s front left door (fireless side) opens and passengers and crew perform an emergency evacuation. As Airport’s Fire Corps vehicles approach the accident site, according to the scenario, thick black smoke and flames seen both at aircraft’s tail and right wing. The fire starts from the 2nd engine and from the main body respectively. Airport’s Fire Corps vehicles approach and circle the aircraft starting fire fighting and rescuing operations, aiming the immediate fire control in order to avoid fire expansion in the fuselage and ensure a safe escape channel for the passengers that are still conscious and can walk on their own. Following the fire suppression, Airport Fire Fighters enter the cabin and initiate interior fire suppression and the rescue of trapped and injured passengers / crew. According to the scenario, casualties from the accident include 7 passengers that were seriously injured and got trapped at the aircraft, while 2 of them drew up dead (dummies) and 10 more survivors were reported as less-seriously injured. In this year emergency exercise, all “injured passengers/crew” were airline and Airport Company’s employees.
- END OF SCENARIO –
The Athens International Airport conducts such exercises of readiness on a regular basis according to the international regulations and the airport emergency plan, so that the effectiveness of implemented processes to be continuously evaluated and ensure the high level of training of all involved organizations, and the sufficient preparation and vigilance of personnel responding to real emergency situations.