Examinations conducted by the Finnish Air Force show that ash dust has caused no significant damage on the engine removed from one of the service’s Boeing F-18 Hornets. However, detailed examination of the affected engine revealed contaminants on its inside surfaces.
For safety, the Air Force will replace engine components where findings or adherence of foreign materials have been observed. Removed components will be subjected to detailed analysis, and their continued serviceability is to be decided later.
Analyses of dust accumulated on aircraft surfaces and samples obtained from engine components are not available at the time of writing. Analyses of air samples have revealed elements typical of volcanic materials, including aluminum, silicon, magnesium, sulfur, and iron.
Flight operations with piston-engined aircraft continue, while training with jet aircraft and turboprops will resume gradually.
Two Hawk jet trainers of the Air Force will continue on sampling duty in Pirkkala ready to provide assistance to civilian authorities if requested. Both aircraft carry air sampling pods.
Operational missions are continued normally.
