06SB008
26 January 2006
US - ALPA warns of Volcanic activity in the Aleutian Islands
US ALPA has issued the following Safety Alert (2006-01) concerning volcanic activity in the Aleutian Islands and which may affect aircraft on North Pacific routes. The danger posed by volcanic ash clouds- which will not appear on weather radar - cannot be over emphasized. In 1982 for example, a British Airways B-747-200 en-route from Kuala Lumpur to Perth entered the ash cloud from the eruption of Mt Galunggung in Java and experienced a quadruple engine failure. Happily on this occasion the crew was able to restart three engines once the aircraft had cleared the ash cloud, although this took some time and the crew was seriously contemplating ditching when the engines began to run again. Diverting to Jakarta, and despite reports of good visibility, the crew found it hard to see anything, and had to make the approach almost entirely on instruments, although the runway lights could be made out through a small strip of the windscreen undamaged by abrasion from the ash. After landing, the crew then found it impossible to taxi, as glare from apron floodlights made the windscreen opaque. Although the airspace around Mount Galunggung was closed temporarily after the incident, it reopened and it was only after a Singapore Airlines B-747 was forced to shut down three of its engines while flying through the same area nineteen days later that Indonesian authorities closed the airspace permanently and re-routed airways to avoid the area. Subsequently, a watch was set up to monitor clouds of ash.
06SB008
In a nearly identical incident in 1989, a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Anchorage, Alaska, flew into the plume of the erupting Mount Redoubt, causing all four engines to fail due to compressor stall. Once the flight cleared the ash cloud it was able to restart each engine and then made a safe landing at Anchorage, though, like the BA flight mentioned above, the aircraft was substantially damaged.
SUBJECT The Mount Augustine Volcano, Alaska, N59.22.1 W153.25.1; 228 Radial/63NM of the Homer (HOM) VORTAC BACKGROUND: The Mount Augustine Volcano, 65 NM southwest of the Homer VORTAC along the Aleutian island chain, is in an increased state of seismic activity. The volcano erupted on January 11, 14 and 17, and a USGS level of concern color code of orange has remained since then. During those eruptions, a warning cylinder 5 NM in diameter to Flight Level 500 was established. The volcano remains seismically active, another eruption could occur with little or no warning, and crews transiting North Pacific routes should exercise caution and avail themselves of frequent updates on the status of the Mount Augustine volcano. A 1986 eruption of this volcano dropped ash on Anchorage, and PANC closed. RECOMMENDATION: Avoid volcanic ash! Turbojet engines encountering volcanic ash are extremely susceptible to multiple engine malfunctions such as compressor stalls, increasing EGT, torching from the tailpipe, and flameouts. In addition, smoke or dust may appear in the cockpit, there may be an acrid odor similar to electrical smoke, and at night St. Elmos fire or other static discharges may be accompanied by a bright orange glow in the engine inlets. Pilots inadvertently encountering an ash cloud should immediately reduce thrust to idle (altitude permitting), and reverse course in order to escape from the cloud. Do not attempt to fly through or climb out of the cloud. NOTE: Review A/C Manual procedures for inadvertent entry into volcanic ash. If not available, the following procedures are recommended: 1. Disengage auto throttle if engaged. 2. Turn on continuous ignition, 3. Turn on all accessory bleed air to reduce engine pressure and provide additional engine stall margin
Volcanic ash clouds are not displayed on either airborne or ATC radar, and they are extremely difficult to identify at night. Pilots must rely on reports from air traffic controllers and from other pilots to determine the location of an ash cloud. Remain well clear of reported areas of volcanic ash when it is reported. If you are the first to discover an ash cloud, immediately notify ATC and secure clearance to reverse course and/or escape, then proceed with recommendation above.
In the interests of flight safety, reproduction of this bulletin in whole or in part is encouraged. It may not be offered for sale or used commercially. All reprints must credit IFALPA
