The Ballarat Airport Aerodrome Emergency Plan was put to the test in a dramatic simulation of a disastrous plane crash on Tuesday.
The emergency exercise, carried out in coordination with all major emergency service agencies, simulated a crash landing at the Ballarat Airport that resulted in serious injuries and a single fatality.
Known as Emergency Exercise ANSON 25, the scenario was prepared under the authority of Ballarat's Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee.
It was developed to test the effectiveness of the Ballarat Airport Aerodrome Emergency Plan and associated emergency management arrangements, including staging of resources, and the coordinated response to aviation emergencies.
The exercise involved the temporary closure of the newly expanded airport runway, designed to provide a realistic environment.
The simulated crash was caused by a medical incident on board the flight that was carrying 12 passengers.
Due to complications that arose from the medical incident, the plane was forced to make an emergency landing but crashed upon landing.
The exercise was limited to the initial response agencies and their immediate actions.
It is anticipated that analysis of the emergency scenario will be used to help guide future updates to the Ballarat Airport Aerodrome Emergency Plan.
The incident involved the cooperation of the City of Ballarat, Victoria Police, Country Fire Authority, Fire Rescue Victoria, State Emergency Service, Ambulance Victoria, Victoria University, and the Department of Health.
