The 1991 Pinatubo eruptions and their effects on aircraft operations
This report addresses: the large number of damaging encounters between airplanes and the ash clouds from the 1991 eruptions of Pinatubo that prompted volcanologists, meteorologists, and aviation authorities to reevaluate the hazard that these clouds present to aviation safety and how available technology and operational procedures can be applied or modified to mitigate the ash hazard. The explosive eruptions of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991 injected enormous clouds of volcanic ash and acid gases into the stratosphere to altitudes in excess of 100,000 feet. The largest ash cloud, from the June 15 eruption, was carried by upper level winds to the west and circled the globe in 22 days. Sixteen damaging encounters were reported between jet aircraft and the drifting ash clouds from the June 12 and 15, 1991, eruptions causing in-flight loss of power to engines. Ashes also damaged aircrafts on the ground and caused seven airports to close.
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