Bizav Operators Warned of Volcanic Ash Risk in Chile

Business aircraft hourly-cost maintenance program provider Jet Support Services (JSSI) is warning operators about the damage risks to aircraft flying near volcanic ash clouds in the wake of last week’s Calbuco eruption some 620 miles south of Santiago, Chile. JSSI issued a note to clients, especially those based in Chile and Argentina, to make sure they are aware of the eruption and to emphasize that exposure to volcanic ash can cause damage to both airframe and engine components.

“This type of foreign material damage is typically not covered by maintenance programs,” said JSSI president and CEO Neil Book, “so it is even more important that we put our clients in a position to take the appropriate preventive measures. We encourage operators to be aware of the situation and check with their local authorities for volcanic ash warnings and guidelines.”

According to JSSI senior vice president for strategic event management and fleet support George Kleros, “Today’s aircraft engines operate at higher temperatures and have [tighter] tolerances than their predecessors, so volcanic ash exposure can have serious consequences. If an engine is exposed to ash, it might need to be removed from service, disassembled and cleaned. A compressor wash is not recommended.” Engines that might have been exposed to contaminants from a volcanic eruption should have their operating parameters verified and possibly be borescoped to inspect the compressor section visually, Kleros said.