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Publication Laka-library:
Vulnerability of VVER-1000 NPP to Passenger Aircraft Crash (2001)

AuthorH.Hirsch, Greenpeace
DateNovember 2001
Classification 6.01.3.40/21 (NUCLEAR SAFETY - REACTORS - VVER/RBMK GENERAL)
Front

From the publication:

Greenpeace

Vulnerability of VVER-1 000 Nuclear Power Plants to Passenger Aircraft Crash

Author: Dr. Helmut Hirsch, scientific consultant

Hannover, November 2001

Summary:

Regarding the vulnerability of VVER-1000 plants to passenger aircraft crash, 
the following conclusions can be drawn:

• VVER-1000 plants at best have a standard of protection comparable to that of 
older German nuclear power plants; plants which went into commercial operation 
in the late 70s. There are indications that the standard is even lower than that 
of old German NPPs.

• The crash of a medium or large passenger aircraft onto an operating VVER-1000 
very likely would lead to catastrophic radioactive releases which could be in excess 
of those from the Chernobyl accident. The chances for effective counter-measures 
are even smaller than for German NPPs.

• The only counter-measure with the potential of ameliorating the risk is shutting 
down the reactor. To be effective, however, this would have to take place more 
than three months before an attack, at the very least.

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