CNA Explains: The dangers of volcanic ash to planes
When Airlines halted flights on Wednesday ( Nov 13 ) after a nearby volcano erupted, causing a 9 km ash tower to fall into the sky, hundreds of travelers were stranded or had their Bali vacations cancelled.
The next day, however, many flights were quick to resume airlines to the Indonesian vacation place, with some providers noting “improved” conditions.
What does geological dust do to an airport?
Volcanic dust contains great ash and strong glass-like particles. That can seriously harm a jet engine and possibly cause it to malfunction.
Air is drawn in by aircraft engines, compressed, mixed with energy, and ignited. High-pressure exhaust gases are produced by this method, which propel the aircraft and the engine forward.
To function effectively, motors rely on a specific balance of gas and airflow. Disrupting this air, as geological dust does, may create problems.
Aviation security consultant Michael Daniel told CNA that in the worst-case situation, the abrasiveness of volcanic dust on the website swords can cause an motor “flame-out”, or stoppage.
And indeed, he continued, there have been instances where engines blew up as a result of flying through clouds of volcanic ash.
Flame-outs, among others, can result in lower force, engine, and altitude drops.
Moreover, the high temperature inside the motor also melt the volcanic cup in the ashes, causing it to adhere to and jam engine parts,  , according to the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Meanwhile, the International Civil Aviation Organization ( ICAO ) reported in a publication that volcanic ash can block plane sensors, leading to inaccurate airspeed predictions and errors.
Windscreens may become partially or completely opaque, which causes an immediate presence risk, and yet pollute the cabin air.
