HKIA Stages Annual Crash Exercise
Involving Aircraft and Ground Vehicle on the Runway

 (HONG KONG, 19 November 2010) – This year’s annual crash exercise was successfully staged at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) today. For the first time, the exercise simulated a crash incident involving an aircraft and a ground vehicle on the runway. More than 1,000 participants representing over 20 organisations fully tested their ability to manage a coordinated response to a large-scale emergency situation.

Codenamed Crash Exercise 2010, the exercise began at 0500hrs when an arriving A320 aircraft ran into an incursion vehicle on the South Runway during landing.  Simulated surviving passengers and crew members evacuated the plane immediately, as the Fire Services Department’s Airport Fire Contingent activated the crash alarm to put the rescue plan in motion. The first rescue personnel arrived at the scene within two minutes. Dragonair was the participating airline for this year’s exercise.

The Airport Emergency Centre was activated immediately to facilitate close communication, effective coordination and swift responses among all concerned parties. A total of 36 simulated “fatalities” and 88 “injuries” were reported in the exercise. The “injured” were sent to six hospitals. Forty-one “uninjured” passengers were escorted to the Passenger Reception Centre in the restricted area of Terminal 1 for police debriefing, immigration and customs clearances before heading to the Family Reception Centre for reunification with their relatives.

After completing the rescue phase, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) and other major parties involved in the contingency operation - including the Civil Aviation Department, Hong Kong Police, Fire Services Department and Dragonair - jointly held a simulated media conference. About 30 university journalism students from the Hong Kong Baptist University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Shue Yan University acted as journalists reporting on the accident.

C K Ng, Deputy Director, Airport Operations of Airport Authority Hong Kong, said, “The annual exercise provides an excellent opportunity for the airport community to test its operational and management capability for large-scale contingencies in a stressful, real-time environment. The experience we have gained today will help refine our procedures and enhance coordination among members of the airport community – allowing us to respond to emergency situations more efficiently and effectively.”

HKIA conducts around 40 drills and exercises every year, including the annual exercise required by aerodrome licensing procedures as part of AA’s commitment to providing safe and secure services and facilities  for passengers.

Participating Organisations

Government Departments

Auxiliary Medical Service
Civil Aid Service
Civil Aviation Department
Customs & Excise Department
Fire Services Department
Home Affairs Department
Hong Kong Police Force
Hospital Authority
Immigration Department
Information Services Department
Port Health Office / Department of Health

Hospitals

Kwong Wah Hospital
Prince of Wales Hospital
Princess Margaret Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Tuen Mun Hospital
Yan Chai Hospital

Business Partners

Airport Chaplaincy Service 
Aviation Security Company Ltd.
Dragonair
Hong Kong Airport Services Ltd.
Raffles Medical Group
Regal Airport Hotel

Other Organisations

Hong Kong Red Cross
Hong Kong St. John Ambulance