Grounding aircraft during Icelandic volcanic ash scare was the RIGHT thing to do, scientists claim

Fears over volcanic ash arose from a previous incident in 1982 when a British Airways 747 flew through debris from the eruption of Mount Galunggung in Indonesia.

The pilot reported sparks from the windows and wings, and all four engines failed when melted ash coated their interior.

Luckily it proved possible to restart three engines as they cooled during the descent.

The pilot landed while peeking through a two-inch strip on a side window that had avoided sandblasting.

Laboratory tests carried out on the Icelandic ash suggested that a similar event could have happened again.

The researchers, led by Dr Sigurdur Gislason from the University of Iceland, wrote: 'The very sharp, hard particles put aircraft at risk from abrasion on windows and body and from melting in jet engines.

'In the lab, ash particles did not become less sharp during two weeks of stirring in water, so airborne particles would remain sharp even after days of interaction with each other and water in clouds. Thus, concerns for air transport were well grounded.'

The explosive nature of the eruption on April 14 last year was caused by glacial meltwater coming into contact with hot volcanic magma.

The explosive nature of the eruption on April 14 last year was caused by glacial meltwater coming into contact with hot volcanic magma

Results of the study could form the basis of a safety protocol for rapidly assessing the risk from future volcanic eruptions, said the scientists.

Size, shape, and hardness of ash particles were the 'key parameters' for estimating abrasiveness and the risk to aircraft.

Analysis of the fragments' mineral composition provided information about hardness and melting temperature.

'Together with estimates of the mass of ash produced, plume height, grain size distribution, and the dispersion rate, these data would provide input for modelling to predict the hazard level for aircraft,' the researchers wrote.