It's Only A Drill: Westchester Airport Simulated Plane Crash Planned

HARRISON, NY — Dozens of emergency vehicles and billowing smoke at the Westchester County Airport would normally be cause for concern, but on the morning of May 6, the ominous-looking scene will be a routine FAA-mandated training exercise.

The Westchester County Police Department’s Airport Precinct and first responders from dozens of agencies will take part in an emergency response drill at the airport. Fire, EMS and police vehicles are scheduled to begin the exercise at 9 a.m. and will be done by 1 p.m.

While the safety exercises are required every three years by the FAA, the Westchester County Airport conducts the exercise every two years. The drills are intended to test the airport emergency response plan. The drill will include fire departments in the region that might be called to the scene of an actual plane crash, as well as the Department of Emergency Services, FBI, American Red Cross and airport personnel.

In this case, the simulated training scenario will recreate as closely as possible the emergency response to the crash of a commercial jet. Dozens of volunteer victims, strategically placed debris, such as luggage and airplane parts, and a simulated fire will be visible. The volunteers with simulated injuries will be taken to waiting ambulances. Inside the airport, the Red Cross and airport personnel will establish a family assistance center.

A runway and a few taxiways will be closed during the exercise.

While the airport will remain open to air traffic and passengers during the simulation, the excitement caused by the faux emergency could make air travel feel slightly less routine this weekend.