Jackson - Evers International Airport officials plan to simulate a deadly plane crash in Pearl Saturday. They are warning that activity will come to a snails-pace as they conduct the drill from 1-5 p.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration mandates this drill every 3 years at commercial airports. The training exercise is critical to grade communications and emergency response. It will simulate a real crash, similar to the one Comair crash in Lexington, Kentucky in January 2007. The impact of that crash killed 49 of the 50 people on board.
The drill site is on several acres of open land near the airport roundabout. Multiple local, state and federal agencies will participate according to Pearl Police Lt. Butch Townsend. "This is just a drill," said Townsend. "But we also want them to use extreme caution if they are in that area. We want them to be aware that the response for several hours will be just as it this is a real event. We can only be successful in our training if we make this event just as real as we can."
Officials say in the nearly 50 years of operations at the Jackson- Evers International Airport, there has never been a fatal accident involving a commercial aircraft.
Airport passengers and area commuters can expect roadblocks and snarled traffic for hours. Again, the simulated plane crash will take place Saturday from 1-5 p.m. You are advised to avoid the airport area when traveling.
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