Volcanic Ash Cloud Encounter

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A NASA DC-8 aircraft unintentionally flew through a diffuse volcanic ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano 10 years ago.
  • Despite spending less than 10 minutes in the cloud and an initial assessment of no damage, the aircraft was later found to have sustained damage.
  • The extent of the damage was detailed in a report authored by Tom Grindle of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center.
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A NASA DC-8 (unintentionally) flew through a diffuse volcanic ash cloud generated by an Icelandic volcano 10 years years ago. The aircraft spent less than 10 minutes in the cloud and, upon first inspection, seemed undamaged. It turns out that first looks can be deceiving. AVweb‘s Glenn Pew talks with Tom Grindle of NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, who authored a report on the damage.

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