



Between 1953 and 2009,* there were 129 reported incidents of airplane-ash encounters, with 79 of those causing some degree of airframe or engine damage. Twenty-six involved significant or severe damage, and nine involved some degree of engine shutdown during flight. Most of the encounters occurred within 24 hours of the onset of ash production during an eruption and within 1,000 kilometers of the source volcano. All flights landed safely.
Of the 38 confirmed source volcanoes, eight — including Augustine, Redoubt, and Mount St. Helens in the United States; Chaitén in Chile; Pacaya in Guatemala; Pinatubo in the Philippines; Sakurajima in Japan; and Soufrière Hills in Montserrat — have caused five or more incidents. Some notable incidents are summarized below.
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