AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL ( ALPA)

1. Captain Edward “Ed” Miller Team Leader Volcanic Ash and Aviation Safety Project Aviation Weather Programs AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL (ALPA)

2. Between 1980 and 2004, more than 100 jet aircraft were known to have sustained at least some damage after flying through volcanic ash clouds, resulting in damages of >$250 million At least 7 of these encounters have resulted in temporary engine failure, with 3 aircraft losing power from all engines. Engine failures have occurred at distances from 150 to 600 miles from the erupting volcano. Damage has been reported at distances as far as 1800 miles away. Aircraft Encounters

3. Pilot: KLM B-747 “KLM 867 heavy is reaching {flight} level 250 heading 140.”

4. Anchorage Center “Okay, do you have good sight on the ash plume at this time?”

5. Pilot KLM B-747 “Yea, it’s just cloudy it could be ashes. It’s just a little browner than the normal cloud.”

6. Pilot: KLM B-747 “We have to go left now... it’s smoky in the cockpit at the moment Sir.”

7. Anchorage Center “KLM 867 heavy, roger, left at your discretion.”

8. Pilot: KLM B-747 “Climbing to {flight} level 390, we’re in the black cloud, heading 130.”

9. Pilot: KLM B-747 “KLM 867 we have Flame out all engines and we are Descending now.”

10. Anchorage Center “KLM 867 heavy... Anchorage?”

11. Pilot: KLM B-747 “KLM 867 heavy we are descending now.... We are in a fall !”

12. Pilot: KLM B-747 “KLM 867 we need all the assistance you have Sir. Give us radar vectors please.”

14. All 4 engines failed within 59 seconds False cargo compartment fire warning indication required special attention by the crew All normal airspeed indications failed Avionics compartments overheated Engines eventually re-started but delivered reduced performance Synopsis of KLM-867 Incident

15. Although the aircraft eventually landed safely, there was $80 million dollars damage to the airplane More than 240 passengers onboard were endangered Potential of KLM-867 Incident

16. There is still much to be done to reduce the remaining associated risk Financial support is essential to the monitoring of the more active volcanoes, especially near primary air routes What Have We Learned?

17. Vertical Growth & Lateral Expansion of the Ash Plume

18. In five minutes, the ash cloud is at our flight level altitudes reaching above 20,000 feet. Aircraft could approach at a rate of five miles per minute or 300 miles per hour. Need time to divert and avoid the ash cloud This warning only possible with monitored volcanoes. Why We Need a Five Minute Warning

19. The North Pacific averages 5-6 eruptions per year, with ash at flight levels on 4-5 days per year. On an additional 10-12 days per year, ash clouds are estimated to be close enough to flight routes to be a concern to aviation. “Empirical estimates based on a combination of a 20-year record and a 200-year historical record.” (T. Miller and T. Casadevall, 2000, USGS) Frequency of Ash Cloud Hazard

20. Drifting ash clouds are not visible to onboard weather radars due to their small particle size and low radar reflectivity. Visual identification is difficult when the cloud is dispersed because it takes on the characteristics of a normal weather cloud. Airborne Radar Identificationof Ash Clouds

21. Ash Cloud, Mt. Redoubt AK 25 Miles 50 Miles 75 Miles 110 Miles

22. Ash Contamination Damage

23. Wet Ash on DC-10Subic Bay, Philippines

24. Thank You Captain Ed Miller Volcanic Ash & Aviation Safety Questions?