RAF suspends Typhoon flights after finding ash in engines...

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DATE:22/04/10

SOURCE:Flightglobal.com

ASH CLOUD: RAF suspends Typhoon flights after finding ash deposits

By Craig Hoyle

Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons are the latest military aircraft to have been confirmed as having sustained possible damage during Europe’s volcanic ash crisis.

"A small number of Typhoon fast jets were found yesterday [21 April] to have volcanic ash deposits on them following routine post-flight inspections," the Ministry of Defence confirms. "As a precautionary measure, non-essential flying has been temporarily suspended, pending the outcome of further checks and analysis.” Operational tasks, such as quick reaction alert cover, "have not been affected and continue", it adds.

The service had previously restricted flight activities with the type to only QRA cover during a six-day period while non-restricted airspace was closed across much of Europe. However, training sorties resumed yesterday with the Typhoon, which is powered by two Eurojet EJ200 turbofan engines.