Simulated Plane Crash at Reagan Airport Set for Saturday

If you see ambulances, fire trucks, helicopters and boats rushing to Ronald Reagan National Airport Saturday morning, don’t be concerned—the “plane crash” is part of a scheduled training exercise.

While the training exercise is not open to the public for viewing, it is likely people in Alexandria and Arlington may see (and hear) part of the response between 8:30 a.m. to noon this Saturday. Approximately 150 volunteers will be playing the role of injured passengers and a training aircraft will be on fire as part of the exercise.

Airport officials say the simulated incident is not expected to affect normal flight operations.

The exercise is meant to provide hands-on training to emergency responders, airport staff, local hospitals and local officials, according to airport officials.