Prevention of Volcanic Ash Encounters in the Proximity Area Between Active Volcanoes and Heavy Air Traffic Routes Prevention of Volcanic Ash Encounters in the Proximity Area Between Active Volcanoes and Heavy Air Traffic Routes Saburo Onodera Flight Crew Training Dept., Japan Airlines

Contents 1 ． Miyakejima Ash Encounter (Aug.18 th,2000) 2 ． Indirect Factors of Encounter 3 ． Lessons Learned and Proposal 3 ． Lessons Learned and Proposal

1.Miyakejima Ash Encounter (Aug.18 th, 2000)

Explosive Eruption on Aug.18 th ， 2000 Cloud Top at FL 460

Miyakejima Volcanic Events 0802z Explosive Eruption begins. 0930z B747 encounters VA at FL z B737 encounters VA at FL360

Significant Damage Found on B747 ① 3 engines were seriously damaged and replaced at Narita. ② The remaining engine was also damaged and replaced at the next scheduled check. ③ The windshield was damaged and replaced.

Why Aircraft VA Encounter Could Not be Prevented ？ The Need to Review the Respective Actions / Information at the Actual Time of Encounter

Actions - Pilot - ATC (Air Traffic Control) Controller Available Information - VA Transport and Dispersion Forecast - SIGMET,VAA, etc.,

Pilot Action (B747 Case) ① Requests ATC to deviate VA area. ② Inadvertently encounters VA at FL340. ★ St.Elmo’s Fire. ★ Cockpit Smoke ★ VHF Noise ③ Immediately reduces engine power. ④ Descends to FL310 to escape VA. ⑤ Lands safely at Narita Airport.

MAIN POINT WHY did the pilot encounters VA despite ATC instructions?

ATC Controller Action ATC Instructions ATC vectored pilots to the furthest easterly route, believing it was the safest course of action. However, the route gradually became invaded with volcanic ash, and ATC could not provide effective radar vectoring.

WHY ?

- Congested Route Area - Limited Options - Timely Information

③ Available Information (1) VA Transport and Dispersion Forecast (2) SIGMET, VAA

(1) VA Transport and Dispersion Forecast Forecasts were issued and updated fre- quently well before the eruption began. However, the forecast was not accurate enough to satisfy the needs for the area, where options for route selection were very limited.

1000UTC 0900UTC by Tokyo VAAC (by Tokyo VAAC) VA Forecast Transport and Dispersion Model ★ Encounter Point

(2) SIGMET and VAA (An extract) 0802z Explosive Eruption begins. (live broadcast) 0812z VA report “VA at or above 5000m, ・・ ” 0818z VAA No1 “Plume Top FL190” 0825z SIGMET 1 “Top FL190 MOV UNKNOWN” 0840z SIGMET 2 “Top more than FL400 Drifting to E – SE, INTSF” (Pirep) 0925z VAA No3 “Top FL460. Outlook ・・ ” （ Sat Pic) 0930z B747 encounters VA at FL z B737 encounters VA at FL360

(2) SIGMET, VAA Reports Timing of issue ・・・・・・・・・・ swift and quick ( issued more than 1 hour before encounter) Contents of Information ・・・ good as a whole altitude of VA ・・・・・ ・・・・・ included moving direction of VA ・・ included moving speed of VA ・・・・ not included at first area of contamination ・・・ not included at first

Why was the VA Moving Speed and Area of Contamination Missing in SIGMET ? Satellite imagery was not made immediately available after observations. It takes time before the satellite data can be distributed to respective users. Lack of timely critical information had a great impact on ATC’s decision making process.

Similar Volcanic Ash Encounter Cases Similar Volcanic Ash Encounter Cases The Izu-Oshima Volcanic Encounter The Izu-Oshima Volcanic Encounter on 21 st November,1986 on 21 st November,1986

Izu-Oshima Volcano Eruption at 0723z (Left ) and 0743z (Right ) on 21st Nov (Photo by H. Kamata)

VA Encounter Could Not be Prevented (1) Even with much more available information than 14 years ago. (2) Even with substantial lead time before the encounter.

2. Indirect Factors of Encounter

Indirect Factors of VA Encounter at Miyakejima Volcano Eruption ① Difficulty of Predicting Explosive Eruptions. ② Long Lasting Nature of Volcanic Activity leads to ⇒ Decreased Sense of Danger ③ Complacency

3. Lessons Learned and Proposal

“ Why the Encounters Could Not Be Prevented?” Direct Causes ① Lack of Timely Critical Information. e.g. The Moving Speed / Contaminated Area. Accurate VA Forecast. ② Delay of Positive Decision Making at ATC. e.g. Airspace was closed after encounter.

“ Why the Encounters Could Not Be Prevented?” Indirect Factors ① Difficulty of predicting explosive eruptions. ② Long Lasting Nature of Volcanic Activity. ③ Complacency.

Lessons Learned Accurate and timely information on the area of volcanic ash is critical. In an area where Air Traffic is congested near Active Volcanoes, ATC decision making on “Volcanic Ash Avoidance” is crucial. We do have lead time before Encounter.

(a) More ATC Initiatives and Reliable Forecast (a) More ATC Initiatives and Reliable Forecast (b) Education and Training (b) Education and Training ( ⅰ ) Basic Knowledge of VA Encounters ( ⅰ ) Basic Knowledge of VA Encounters ( ⅱ ) Practical Knowledge on VA Avoidance ( ⅱ ) Practical Knowledge on VA Avoidance (c) Simulated Volcanic Eruption drills (c) Simulated Volcanic Eruption drills Proposed items to be studied Proposed items to be studied

I would like to conclude my talk by thanking those people who are contributing to the prevention of volcanic ash encounter. Thank You.

Miyakejima Volcanic Eruptions in JUL. (by NHK TV) 14 JUL. (by S. Nakada.)

Miyakejima Volcanic Eruptions in AUG. ( by S. Nakada. ) 14 AUG. ( by S. Nakada.)

The Major Eruptions on 18 AUG., 2000 (by Yomiuri Newspaper.) (by Nikkei Newspaper.) (by Asahi Newspaper.)

The Major Eruptions on 29 AUG., 2000 ( by T. Shimano.) ( by T. Shimano.)

Eruptions on 09 and 10 SEP., SEP. ( by O. Oshima.) 10 SEP. ( by S. Nakada.)

Volcanic Activities After One Year (2001) 09 JUL ( by M. Tsukui.) 09 JUL ( by M. Tsukui.)

Volcanic Activities After Two Years (2002) 07 AUG ( by M. Tsukui.) 21 AUG ( by M. Yoshimoto.)

Volcanic Activities After Three Years (2003) 30 SEP ( by M. Yoshimoto ) 30 SEP ( by M. Yoshimoto)

Volcanic Activities After Three and a Half Years (2004) 24FEB ( by M. Ohno.)

Volcanic Events since 2000 to Date at Miyakejima Volcano Jun., Volcanic Activity increased. Jul. ～ Aug. Repeated Small Eruptions. Aug.18 th. Explosive Eruption. ２ VA encounters. Sep.,2000 Volcanic Activity declines, but ～ SO 2 Emissions continues. Jun.,2004 Residents are still evacuated.