Controversies

Shenzhen Airport T3 Viaduct Crash Kills 9 and Injures 24; Airport Group Held Indirectly Responsible

At around 15:33 on March 1, 2015, a driver drove at about 97.8 km/h (speed limit 50) along the leading viaduct at Shenzhen Airport T3 Terminal, lost control, and crashed into a crowd standing by the bridge watching aircraft, causing 9 deaths and 24 injuries. On September 10, the Shenzhen municipal government '3·1' accident investigation team's report determined that this was a non-production and non-operational road traffic safety liability accident, with the driver bearing full responsibility; it also determined that Shenzhen Airport (Group) Co., Ltd. had inadequately implemented safety hazard rectification and management supervision responsibilities and jointly bore indirect responsibility with the Airport Public Security Sub-bureau. Impact and handling: handling suggestions were proposed for 17 managers at the two units, among whom the airport group safety director, the general manager of the Public Area Management Department, and the deputy general manager of the Terminal Area Management Department of Shenzhen Airport Co., Ltd. were warned or demerited, while the airport group deputy general manager and the airport company deputy general manager made written self-criticisms; protective netting was added to the accident section and 24-hour police patrols were arranged. Progress: official accident notification. Entities involved: Shenzhen Airport (Group) Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Airport Co., Ltd. Related scope: management of the leading viaduct section at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport T3 Terminal.