Aircraft Accident Response SOP

• This document outlines Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) #2, effective March 1, 2024.
• The document provides guidelines for aircraft accident and incident response at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.

Purpose

• The SOP provides guidelines for the Airport Police and Fire Division (APF) response to on- and off-airport aircraft emergencies requiring aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF).
• It also guides mutual aid agencies responding to on-airport aircraft emergencies.

Procedures

• The procedures define areas of jurisdiction and appropriate actions for the APF and mutual aid agencies responding to aircraft accidents or emergencies.
• Anyone witnessing an aircraft incident or accident on or immediately adjacent to the airport should report it to APF dispatch immediately.

Aircraft Alert Classification System

• The system is used for all on-airport aircraft emergencies, accidents, and incidents, including declarations of emergency (actual, pending, or imminent).

ALERT 1 (Local Alert)

• An aircraft known or suspected to have an operational defect that should not affect safety or cause property damage.
• Normally designated for minor mechanical problems like flat tires during taxi, minor issues that may disable a taxiing aircraft, or low-speed excursion from a taxiway while taxiing.

ALERT 2 (Emergency Alert)

• An aircraft known or suspected to have an operational defect that affects normal flight operations to the extent there is danger of an accident.
• All units should respond to pre-designated emergency vehicle standby positions according to the SOP, the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP), and the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Aircraft Emergency Operations Letter of Agreement (LOA).

ALERT 3 (Aircraft Accident Alert)

• An aircraft incident or accident has occurred on or in the vicinity of the airport.
• All designated emergency response units shall proceed to the scene with diligence in accordance with established plans and procedures.

Aircraft Alert 3 Emergencies

• Addressed when occurring within or immediately adjacent to the Eisenhower National (ICT) Airport property lines.
• APF personnel are trained and equipped to respond to aircraft emergencies that may require aircraft rescue and firefighting.
• If the incident or accident may exceed internal capabilities, mutual aid should be requested through Sedgwick County Communications (911).

Guidelines for Dispatching Mutual Aid

• APF dispatch will notify 911 of the alert type, which will dictate the mutual aid agencies and units that will respond for ALERT 2 or ALERT 3 for general aviation and commercial aircraft.
  • ALERT 2 General Aviation Aircraft: Wichita Fire Department (WFD) will respond with no lights and sirens; Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be notified but remain in quarters.
  • ALERT 2 Commercial Aircraft: WFD, EMS, and Wichita Police Department (WPD) will respond with lights and sirens to the appropriate staging gate.
  • ALERT 3 General Aviation Aircraft: WFD and EMS will respond with lights and sirens to the appropriate staging gate.
  • ALERT 3 Commercial Aircraft: WFD, EMS, and WPD will respond with lights and sirens to the appropriate staging gate.

Mutual Aid/Staging Area(s)

• For incidents on the eastern side of the air operations area (AOA) (e.g., Runway 19L/1R), mutual aid units stage at vehicle GATE G – STAGE EAST.
• For incidents on the western side of the AOA (e.g., Runway 19R/1L), mutual aid units stage at vehicle GATE A – STAGE WEST.
• The Incident Commander (IC) may designate different or multiple staging areas as necessary.

Aerodrome Closure

• In the event of an ALERT 3 emergency, either "Airport Command" or "OPS 10" will immediately notify Ground or Tower and close the aerodrome (no landings, takeoffs, and taxiing aircraft stop and hold position).
• After consulting with Airport Command, OPS may re-open portions of the aerodrome if deemed safe.

Restrictions

• Non-airport authority off-airport mutual aid emergency response agencies must not enter and/or drive upon the air operations area (runways, taxiways, and ramps) unless specifically authorized by the Wichita Airport Authority, and must remain under escort at all times.
• Failure to comply may result in serious accidents, injury, death, and violations of federal aviation and/or transportation security regulations.

Aid From Airport Building Utilities Personnel

• Upon observing or being notified of a commercial air carrier ALERT 3 accident, all Airport Building Utilities and Airport Grounds & Fleet personnel shall return to their base of operations and await further instruction.

Aircraft Alert 3 Emergencies Beyond the Airport Property Lines

• Addresses authority and responsibility for Wichita Airport Authority-owned emergency response equipment and mutual aid through agreements with the City of Wichita Fire Department, Sedgwick County Fire Department, McConnell Air Force Base, and the Wichita Airport Authority.
• Addressed in the Airport Emergency Plan, the Airport Certification Manual, and Federal Aviation Regulation Part 139.319.

Response Radius

• In the event of an aircraft accident within an approximate 2-mile radius from the airport security perimeter boundary, ARFF vehicles may respond at the direction of the Chief or Deputy Chief of Airport Police and Fire, or the ranking on-duty supervisor.
• The FAA Air Traffic Control Tower, Chief and Deputy Chief of Airport Police and Fire, Airport Operations Manager, and Assistant Director of Airports must be notified immediately of the ARFF vehicles' departure.
• The Airport Operations Manager or designee shall issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) as required by FAR Part 139 and the Airport Certification Manual.
• The Airport Operations Manager or designee shall be immediately notified upon the ARFF equipment's return to service, and NOTAMs shall be canceled.

Off-Airport Response (Greater Than 2 Miles)

• In the event of an aircraft emergency beyond the 2-mile radius, at least one 1500-gallon ARFF vehicle may respond if:
  • Requested by Sedgwick County 911.
  • A situation exists in which human life is threatened.
  • The equipment and/or personnel are not currently committed to an on-airport accident or emergency.

Minimum Vehicle Requirements to Maintain Index

- Index C: ARFF 2 and ARFF 3, OR any two (2) of these vehicles ARFF 2, 3, 4 and 5.
- Index B: ARFF 2 OR ARFF 1 and one of the remaining vehicles.
- Index A: Any single ARFF vehicle.

Return to Duty

• When responding to any off-airport emergency, the IC or ranking on-duty APF supervisor shall return airport emergency units to the airport at full operational status as soon as it is determined that airport units are no longer necessary for the protection of human life.
• Airport units may vacate an off-airport aircraft emergency site after proper coordination and notification through the established incident command structure.