Exercise 1997 simulated the death of one maintenance worker and the injury to another. The scenario included a "potential" biohazard and a high angle rescue response. Two maintenance workers were preparing to rappel down the outside of Hangar One to check the flashing around the windows. Hangar One is approximately 180 feet tall. One of the maintenance workers slipped and slid/fell approximately 100 feet down the side of the hangar before his rappel line was able to break his decent. The worker was wearing a seat harness at the time. The fall caused severe back injury to the worker. His rope suspended him approximately 100 feet above the ground. His co-worker attempted to go for help. In his haste, while trying to descend the upper ladders inside the hangar, he slipped and fell approximately 50 feet. His body, all but his head and one arm, was suspended in the internal hangar bracing approximately 130 feet above the floor. His head and arm fell to the floor. DART HazMat performed the body recovery with support from DART Rescue. DART Rescue performed the high angle rescue. Because of the complexity of the response, the mobile command post was activated and staffed with EOS personnel.

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