The replica plane on fire after it ‘veered’ off the runway in the simulation exercise at Senai International Airport. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
IT WAS a scene straight out of a disaster movie where an airplane veered off the runway, in this case the scene was at Senai International Airport in Kulai, Johor.
Fortunately, it was just a drill involving a replica plane which had engine problems while enroute from Kuala Lumpur.
In response to the 10.30am “incident”, various agencies deployed its personnel to the scene, including the police, Fire and Rescue Department, National Security Council, Civil Defence Force, Health Ministry as well as Customs and Immigration departments.
The full-scale exercise was part of the ongoing commitment by Senai Airport Terminal Services Sdn Bhd (SATSSB) to maintain the highest safety and preparedness standards at the airport.
The public was advised not to be alarmed, as the simulated event had been designed to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of the facility’s “Airport Emergency Plan” (AEP).
The AEP is a full contingency plan that aligns all relevant stakeholders to enable swift and coordinated actions in the event of an emergency.
The plan is mandated by the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM) to comply with the International Civil Aviation Organisation Airport Service.
SATSSB chief executive officer Kennedy Ayu said the training exercise was a vital part of preparations for any emergency at the airport.
“As the main gateway to the southern region for air travel, the airport needs to host a full-scale emergency exercise.
“This exercise helps us test our ability to manage emergencies under realistic conditions that involve critical stakeholders such as emergency services, medical responders, regulatory authorities and other key agencies,” he said in a media statement.
Kennedy said the focus of such a drill was to build the 3Cs of communication, coordination and control which are the pillars of an effective emergency response.
“Identifying weaknesses, addressing gaps and improving our collaboration and procedures will ensure that we are always ready for any situation.
“Our ultimate goal is to provide the best possible outcomes for the entire airport community, not just the airport itself,” he added.
More than 200 people, including Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) students and personnel from various agencies participated in the exercise.
The simulated scenario involved an aircraft experiencing technical issues that caused it to veer off the runway and burst into flames near the edge of the cargo apron.
An aircraft replica was prepared based on a carrying capacity of 100 passengers.