Multi‑agency aircraft accident drill at Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell Airport

A training exercise simulating an accident involving a commercial aircraft took place this morning at Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell Airport. Organised by Aeroports de Catalunya and the Generalitat’s Civil Protection, the drill recreated a tyre puncture during takeoff on a plane carrying 15 passengers and four crew, which ended up off the runway in the grass with a fuel spill but no fire.

The airport activated its self-protection plan (PAU) and Catalonia’s special aeronautical emergencies plan (AEROCAT). Around a hundred people took part, and coordination with external emergency services — including teams from Andorra — was practised. The Red Cross, Andorran firefighters and civil protection technicians from Andorra participated as observers.

Airport firefighters deployed three personnel who applied foam to the spilled fuel and carried out triage tasks. The Bombers de la Generalitat took command of the simulated emergency, deploying about 15 staff, two observers, three water tankers, a rescue van and two light coordination and command units from the La Seu d’Urgell, Montferrer and Organyà stations and the Lleida Emergency Region.

The Medical Emergency Service (SEM) activated ambulances and later increased resources after assessing the situation. The exercise involved attention to 25 simulated casualties and used an incident-management software platform for affected persons. SEM also mobilised a psychological support team of 12 professionals and two units — one Advanced Life Support and one Basic Life Support — with Andorra’s SUM participating jointly. Mossos d’Esquadra and other police units also intervened to support the response.

The drill tested rescue and firefighting operations, sectorisation of the scene, victim management, inter-agency communications and the operational coordination between airport and external emergency services.