What do we see on the risk map?
All large airports for civil aviation and all military airfields in the Netherlands are indicated on the risk map.
What is the risk?
A risk is posed by an aircraft or helicopter crashing. This could occur in a built-up area or in an ‘outer area’. But this is most likely to occur on or near to a runway or landing strip within an area approximately 300 metres wide and extending one kilometre to the front or to the rear. This area is referred to as Zone 1. It is indicated on the risk map as a rectangular strip.
An aviation accident often results in many deaths. Survivors suffer particularly from burns and broken bones. Hazardous substances are occasionally released. If an aircraft crashes in a residential area, the number of casualties and wounded is even higher.
What can you do yourself?
If you see that an aircraft has crashed, you must do the following:
• do not go and look;
• keep away if there is a fire in connection with the heat and the toxic smoke;
• keep a distance in connection with hazardous substances that may be released;
• call the emergency services on 1-1-2 if this has not yet been done.
What safety measures are there?
The government imposes strict requirements on airports, air traffic controllers and airlines. The organisations involved are responsible for safety on site. This applies not only to the aircraft (technical safety), but also to personal safety. There are rules for the crews, for people who work at or near to airports and for travellers. The government checks whether the requirements imposed are being complied with. If that is not the case or the compliance is insufficient, the inspecting authorities may impose fines or even close routes.
More information
• General information about what to do in the case of a disaster can be found at www.nederlandveilig.nl.
• Information about luchtvaartveiligheid [aviation safety] can be found on the website of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment.