VOLCANIC ASH & AVIATION SAFETY Captain Ed Miller Air Line Pilots Association Aviation Weather Committee

Introduction “Volcanic Hazards to Aviation - 101” First record of aircraft damage - 1944 Mt. Vesuvius - Italy erupts: B-25 bomber squadron destroyed by volcanic ash while parked on an airfield Next “wake up call” - 1980

Mt. St. Helens during eruption

Vertical growth & Lateral Expansion of the ash plume

Pacific Ring of Fire

Ring of Fire Facts: 1500 known volcanoes worldwide Majority are remote or unmonitored 55 - 60 eruptions per year 8-10 eruptions will reach flight altitude North Pacific routes move 15,000 pax daily Air freight revenue: $10,000,000 per day 100 volcanoes on routes-3 to 5 erupt per yr.

Ash contamination

Wet ash on DC-10 Subic Bay,PI

SYNOPSIS OF KLM-867 INCIDENT All 4 engines failed within 59 seconds False cargo compartment fire warning indication required special attention All normal airspeed indications failed Avionics compartments overheated Engines eventually re-started but delivered reduced performance Aircraft eventually landed safely Total aircraft damage $80 million dollars

SATELLITE MONITORING IS VITAL More than 1300 volcanoes are un-monitored by volcanologists or seismic instruments Active volcanoes threaten international air routes around the globe Geostationary Satellites properly positioned can monitor most of the affected areas Satellite monitors can provide timely warnings around the clock Monitoring systems can be paid tennants on any type of geostationary satellite

SATELLITE MONITORING IS VITAL Current NOAA GOES satellites are monitors Next three NOAA GOES satellites will not monitor because of mission changes An estimated $10 million additional budget dollars per vehicle could have saved the capability Over $200 million in aircraft damages are logged for the last 15 years [$80 million for KLM-867] Timely Volcanic Ash activity reports are crucial

Wet ash on DC-10 Subic Bay,PI