As the largest-ever event of this kind, the practice aims to improve capacity of Vietnam’s aviation agencies and rescue forces in organising and managing research and rescue activities in flight information zones, and airspaces that Vietnam is authorised, thus bettering their performance. 

The simulation scenario featured a flight on Super King Air 200 departing from the Noi Bai International Airport to Dong Hoi Airport in the central province of Quang Binh. After passing the Nam Ha DVOR/DME station for 12 minutes, the Hanoi Air Control Centre received a request from pilots to land in Vinh Airport due to engine problems. Five minutes later, a request for urgent landing was issued from the crew and then signals from radar screens vanished and the flight lost contact. 

Rescue forces were immediately mobilised for the mission. Over 400 people from Vietnam’s civil aviation agencies, the Ministry of Defence, and Nghe An province, and a number of specialised equipment, including rescue aircraft and boats, hydroplanes, among others were involved in the drill. 

The exercise contributed to raising public awareness of the reality of aviation search and rescue work and responsibilities of organisations and individuals in the field. It helped promote coordination among rescue forces and practise techniques to search for planes in distress basing on emergency information recorded by emergency locator transmitters.

Through the event, Vietnam’s ability to ensure provision of search and rescue services were introduced to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), civil aviation organisations and airline service developers in the region and the world. 

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai stressed the need to both promote the development of the civil aviation sector and ensure its safety. 

It is necessary to regularly organise search and rescue practices, he said, suggesting greater efforts to ensure aviation security and safety in the coming time.

VNA/Dan Viet