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Volcanic ash poses significant hazards to aviation, causing engine failures and costly damages, as seen in incidents like British Airways Flight 9. It also disrupts airport operations, land and marine transport, and communication networks. Detection systems like AVOID help navigate ash clouds, while preparedness and management strategies mitigate ashfall's impact on society and the environment. Interestingly, volcanic ash can enrich soil, demonstrating its dual role as both a disruptor and a benefactor.
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Numerous incidents have been recorded of aircraft encountering ash clouds, leading to engine failure and other critical damages
British Airways Flight 9
British Airways Flight 9 encountered an ash cloud from Mount Galunggung in Indonesia, resulting in the failure of all four engines
KLM Flight 867
KLM Flight 867 experienced complete engine shutdown after flying into an ash cloud from Mount Redoubt in Alaska
The repair costs for affected aircraft can be substantial, and volcanic ash can cause damage to both airborne and grounded planes
The eruption had a profound impact on European airspace, leading to widespread flight cancellations and unprecedented airspace closures
The Finnish Air Force encountered operational issues when volcanic ash ingestion led to engine damage in one of its F-18 Hornet fighters
The eruption of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcanic complex in Chile in 2011 disrupted airspace in multiple countries, demonstrating the far-reaching effects of volcanic ash on aviation
The detection of volcanic ash clouds presents a significant challenge, as they are often invisible to traditional cockpit instruments
The Airborne Volcanic Object Infrared Detector (AVOID) system utilizes infrared technology to detect ash plumes and provide warnings to pilots
Other methods such as ground-based and satellite imagery, radar, and lidar are also used to detect volcanic ash and inform aviation decision-making
Volcanic ash can severely disrupt airport operations, affecting visibility, contaminating runways, and damaging infrastructure
Even minimal ash accumulation can necessitate the suspension of flights, as ash can infiltrate sensitive communication systems and damage buildings
The removal and disposal of ash are critical to prevent its remobilization, which can be caused by wind or aircraft movements, posing further risks to airport operations
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BA Flight 9 Engine Failure Cause
Encountered Mount Galunggung ash cloud, all four engines failed.
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KLM Flight 867 Incident Details
Flew into Mount Redoubt ash, all engines shut down, descended 14,700 feet, engines restarted.
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Mount Pinatubo Eruption Aircraft Costs
1991 eruption caused approx. US$100 million in damages to aircraft, both airborne and grounded.
