Air and land emergency services mobilised for air crash exercise

(HONG KONG, 19 June 2001) - Emergency services were put through their paces at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) today for a simulated rescue of a crashed passenger jet on the North Runway.

The occasion was Exercise CLK, which is staged annually as a mandatory aerodrome licensing requirement at HKIA. Coordinated by the Airport Authority (AA), the exercise allows the participants to evaluate emergency procedures, personnel, communications and equipment so that all are best prepared in the event of a real emergency.

According to this year's scenario, an A330 jet carrying about 150 passengers crashed while landing on the North Runway.

Participating airline Cathay Pacific provided an A330 aircraft for the operation. Other equipment included a Government Flying Service helicopter, 18 Fire Services Department appliances, 38 ambulances, mini-buses and various fire-fighting and police emergency vehicles. A helicopter and passengers coaches ferried the simulated injured to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Yan Chai Hospital, Caritas Medical Centre and Tuen Mun Hospital. There were 20 simulated fatalities.

As in previous exercises, participants came from the Airport Authority, Civil Aviation Department, Fire Services Department, Police, Hospital Authority, Auxiliary Medical Service, Government Flying Service, Civil Aid Service, Airport Port Health Office, Immigration Department, St John Ambulance, Customs and Excise Department, and Information Services Department. Other business partners and franchisees participated or sent observers.

AA Airport Management Director Howard Eng said the exercise went smoothly: "Every year we try a different emergency scenario in as realistic circumstances as possible. Safety has always been our highest priority. This annual exercise goes a long way to ensuring the airport is in the best shape possible to deal with any emergency."

The exercise began at 0700 hours and was stood down at 0930 hours.

Ref. PR-572