Simulated Plane Crash at Reagan National Set for Saturday

Reagan National Airport will have a simulated plane crash as part of a training exercise Saturday morning.

If you see ambulances, fire trucks, helicopters and boats rushing to Ronald Reagan National Airport Saturday morning, don’t be concerned—it's is part of a scheduled training exercise.

While the training exercise is not open to the public for viewing, it is likely people in Alexandria and Arlington may see (and hear) part of the response between 8:30 a.m. to noon this Saturday.

The airport will continue normal operations during the exercise.

Approximately 150 volunteers will be playing the role of injured passengers and a training aircraft will be on fire as part of the exercise. The role-playing passengers will be rushed to hospitals in Arlington, Alexandria and the District.

The exercise is meant to provide hands-on training to emergency responders, airport staff, local hospitals and local officials, according to airport officials. 

More than 20 agencies will participate in the exercise.