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http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gOf6EkFL_a2lZK_hHNlDWEig3uXwD9F665583
NATO: F-16 fighters damaged by volcanic ash
By SLOBODAN LEKIC (AP) – 14 hours ago
BRUSSELS — Several NATO F-16 fighters suffered engine damage after flying through the volcanic ash cloud covering large parts of Europe, a senior Western diplomat said.
The official declined to provide more details on the military flights, except to say that glasslike deposits were found inside the planes' engines after they patroled over European airspace.
Volcanic ash tends to stick to a jet engine's interior parts, such as the turbines, where it melts to form a glassy coating. This restricts air flow and heats up the engine, leading to engine failure.
Last week, two Finnish Air Force F-18 fighter-bombers had problems while flying through the ash plume that has paralyzed air traffic over much of Europe, but both landed safely.
Finnish Air Force spokesman Joni Malkamaki told The Associated Press that photographs indicate that "prolonged flying in a volcanic ash cloud could cause severe damage to aircraft engines."
However, he said that there was no visible damage to the the engines of the five Hornets.
"That's what we are trying to establish, to see if there was any damage," he said.
Some of the engines were taken off the aircraft and sent to specialists for further investigation, he said. The results would be ready in a few days, he said.
Associated Press Writer Matti Huuhtanen contributed to this report from Helsinki.
NATO: F-16 fighters damaged by volcanic ash
By SLOBODAN LEKIC (AP) – 14 hours ago
BRUSSELS — Several NATO F-16 fighters suffered engine damage after flying through the volcanic ash cloud covering large parts of Europe, a senior Western diplomat said.
The official declined to provide more details on the military flights, except to say that glasslike deposits were found inside the planes' engines after they patroled over European airspace.
Volcanic ash tends to stick to a jet engine's interior parts, such as the turbines, where it melts to form a glassy coating. This restricts air flow and heats up the engine, leading to engine failure.
Last week, two Finnish Air Force F-18 fighter-bombers had problems while flying through the ash plume that has paralyzed air traffic over much of Europe, but both landed safely.
Finnish Air Force spokesman Joni Malkamaki told The Associated Press that photographs indicate that "prolonged flying in a volcanic ash cloud could cause severe damage to aircraft engines."
However, he said that there was no visible damage to the the engines of the five Hornets.
"That's what we are trying to establish, to see if there was any damage," he said.
Some of the engines were taken off the aircraft and sent to specialists for further investigation, he said. The results would be ready in a few days, he said.
Associated Press Writer Matti Huuhtanen contributed to this report from Helsinki.
