General

This article provides guidance for controllers on what to expect of an aircraft experiencing problems associated with volcanic ash and some of the considerations which will enable the controller to provide as much support as possible to the aircraft concerned.

An aircraft encountering volcanic ash may experience engine problems; in some cases, aircraft have lost all engines as a result of ash ingestion and the subsequent formation of deposits on critical engine surfaces from the burning, melting and re-solidification of particles from the ash cloud.

Avoidance

• Care should be taken not to route aircraft through clouds of volcanic ash where forecast on SIGMET charts. Where possible route aircraft upwind of the ash cloud.

• Relay available ASHTAM information by reporting volcanic ash hazards to all aircraft concerned.

• Note that weather radar will not detect the small particles in the ash clouds and crews may not get any advance warning of entering the ash cloud. ATC radars will not detect the presence of volcanic ash for the same reasons.

Communications

Communications with aircraft may suffer interference because of the electrical charges within the ash cloud.

What to Expect

• Aircraft are expected to take the shortest way out of the cloud, usually by descent and possibly by making a descending 180 degree turn.
• Aircraft affected by engine malfunction may not be able to maintain height.
• The flight crew will likely reduce thrust in order to prevent engine damage thus limiting the aircraft ability to climb.
• Communication difficulties in case of oxygen mask use.

Suggested Controller’s Actions

• Clear airspace around the aircraft.
• If appropriate, advise the crew of Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA).
• Warn other aircraft in the vicinity of the location of the ash cloud.
• Ask the flight crew if able to comply with instructions, especially for climb and turn.
• Provide requested information e.g. about suitable diversion aerodromes.

Volcanic Ash (SKYclip)

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Volcanic Ash (SKYclip)

Related Articles

• Contingency Planning: Volcanic Ash
• Pyrocumulus
• Volcanic Ash
• Volcanic Ash Advisory
• Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
• Volcanic Ash: Guidance for Flight Crews
• ASHTAM

Boeing Flight Crew Briefing Video about Volcanic Ash Avoidance

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Volcanic Ash Avoidance

Further Reading

ICAO

• ICAO Handbook for International Airways Volcano Watch. This handbook is no longer subject to ICAO revision except for 'Part 5 - Contacts'
• ICAO EUR Doc 019, NAT Doc 006 Part II: "Volcanic Ash Contingency Plan", July 2016
• ICAO NAT OPS Bulletin - Effective: 16 May 2010 at 0001 UTC, recommended interim enhanced procedures to be implemented by States in the event of a volcanic eruption
• VAAC Map of Areas of Responsibility 2017

EUROCONTROL

• Volcanic Ash Safety in Air Traffic Management - A White Paper, August 2011
• Project Volcanic Ash Safety (Presentation), EUROCONTROL, Univ. Politehnica of Bucharest & ROMATSA

UK CAA

• CAP 1236: Guidance regarding flight operations in the vicinity of volcanic ash

Flight Safety Foundation

• Flight Safety Foundation, Flight Safety Digest, May 1993, “Volcanic Hazards and Aviation Safety: Lessons of the Past Decade”, Casadevall.

Airbus

• Airbus Flight Operations Briefing Note: Volcanic Ash Awareness