On December 12th, Nội Bài International Airport, under the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), successfully organized, for the first time in Vietnam, a drill to handle aircraft firefighting, rescue, and relocation of disabled aircraft. As the lead unit, Noi Bai International Airport collaborated with Vinh International Airport to conduct the 2024 drill scenario. The exercise simulated an aircraft experiencing an emergency and requesting an urgent landing at Noi Bai International Airport. However, due to deteriorating weather conditions and limited visibility at Noi Bai, the aircraft was redirected to land at Vinh International Airport. This successful drill marks a significant milestone in enhancing preparedness and coordination between airports for emergency response and aircraft incident management.
Scale of KN.24 Drill
The drill was organized for the first time between Noi Bai International Airport and Vinh International Airport, with the participation of a large, experienced, and well-equipped force from various agencies and units. Nearly 200 individuals and 22 vehicles and pieces of equipment were mobilized, including units under Noi Bai International Airport and Vinh International Airport, relevant State management agencies and coordinating units such as the Northern Airports Authority, the Northern Vietnam Air Traffic Management Company, the Vinh Airport Base Battalion, the Firefighting and Rescue Police Division of Nghe An Provincial Police, and police units of Nghi Phu, Nghi Lien, Nghi An, and Nghi Trung communes. The drill was also witnessed by representatives from the National Committee for Incident and Disaster Response and Search and Rescue, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the Nghe An Provincial Military Command, the Nghe An Department of Transport, Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), and businesses and units operating at Vinh International Airport.
Purpose and Significance of the Drill
The aircraft firefighting, rescue, and relocation drill, organized for the first time through the collaboration between Noi Bai International Airport and Vinh International Airport, aims to enhance awareness and responsibility among staff regarding fire prevention, firefighting, and emergency rescue operations. It tests and evaluates the command capability and coordination of firefighting and rescue forces, as well as the readiness of personnel, vehicles, and equipment in handling incidents such as fires, explosions, accidents, or emergencies. The drill ensures preparedness to meet fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue requirements effectively while drawing lessons learned for training, drills, and the organization, command, and management of airport emergency scenarios. This exercise provides a foundation for refining emergency response plans for firefighting, rescue, and relocation of disabled aircraft, improving coordination and operational efficiency in addressing emergency situations.
Drill Scenario
The KN.24 drill scenario is as follows:
At approximately 08:24 AM on day X, month Y, 2024, Noi Bai International Airport received a notification from the Air Traffic Control Tower regarding an aircraft classified as code C (according to the International Civil Aviation Organization - ICAO) operated by X Airlines. The aircraft, flight number BC-206, on the VCA-NBA route, experienced a hydraulic oil system failure and requested an emergency landing at Noi Bai, along with immediate emergency assistance. The aircraft was expected to land at 08:39 AM. Noi Bai International Airport immediately activated its full emergency plan, deploying ground forces and equipment, and positioning resources at designated assembly points.
By 08:37 AM, the Air Traffic Control Tower reported that deteriorating weather conditions at Noi Bai, including heavy clouds and limited visibility, forced the crew to request diversion to Vinh Airport. Vinh International Airport received the information and implemented its full emergency response plan to handle the situation.
Upon landing at Vinh International Airport, the aircraft experienced a nose gear collapse due to a hydraulic pressure drop. After landing, the nose gear failed to deploy fully, causing the aircraft’s nose to contact the runway surface. The resulting friction created sparks and ignited a fire, and the aircraft came to a stop at the end of the runway, unable to move. On board were 180 passengers, 2,000 kg of cargo, and 8 crew members.
Noi Bai International Airport, Vinh International Airport, and relevant agencies coordinated efforts to respond by extinguishing the fire, conducting rescue and evacuation operations, and organizing the relocation of the disabled aircraft according to the emergency plan.
Drill Content
The drill consisted of two main parts: Part 1 focused on operational command and advisory mechanisms, and Part 2 involved live-action drills to handle the emergency situation by on-site forces.
The drill was divided into two phases. Phase 1 covered aircraft firefighting and rescue operations, including two key components: the operation of command mechanisms for firefighting and rescue, and the live-action firefighting and rescue drill. Phase 2 involved relocating the disabled aircraft using aircraft recovery equipment, consisting of three main components: the operation of command mechanisms for relocating the disabled aircraft, the live-action relocation drill, and site clearance and post-drill evaluation.
The participating forces conducted training and coordination from December 9 to December 12, 2024. The official drill took place on December 12, 2024, at the Military Apron Area of Vinh International Airport.
In his speech at the drill, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung, Deputy General Director of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), congratulated the successful coordination between Noi Bai International Airport and Vinh International Airport in the KN.24 emergency drill. He emphasized the importance of expanding this drill model to comprehensively support all airports under ACV. He affirmed that the close cooperation and thorough preparation by Noi Bai International Airport in particular, and by airports under ACV in general, reflect a spirit of constant readiness to respond to any emergency situations across Vietnam’s airport network.
The KN.24 emergency drill was meticulously prepared with the participation of multiple coordinated forces and was the result of close collaboration between Noi Bai International Airport, as the lead unit, and Vinh International Airport as the coordinating unit. The rigorous training and serious commitment contributed to the success of KN.24, showcasing the professionalism of all forces involved in handling the situation, particularly in the operation of the aircraft recovery equipment to relocate disabled aircraft. This also marked the first time the aircraft recovery equipment had been used in a real-life drill scenario at airports to handle an aircraft incident.
The 2024 drill for aircraft firefighting, rescue, and relocation of disabled aircraft, coordinated between Noi Bai International Airport and Vinh International Airport, was successfully conducted according to the planned scenario. The training and drill processes ensured the safety of personnel, equipment, vehicles, and assets, without affecting the operational activities of Vinh International Airport.
Noi Bai International Airport, as one of Vietnam’s critical aviation gateways, consistently prioritizes aviation security and safety. The KN-24 drill, featuring close coordination between multiple inter-agency forces, a large number of staff from both airports, and modern equipment, was successfully conducted for the first time. This ensured preparedness to respond to potential emergencies, enhanced command coordination, and improved the capacity to handle emergency situations at airports. Through this drill, airports have drawn valuable lessons to ensure seamless coordination among forces, guaranteeing absolute aviation safety while reaffirming Vietnam as a safe, professional, and reliable destination.
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