Plumes of volcanic ash near active volcanoes can damage propellers , engines and cockpit windows . In 1982 , British Airways Flight 9 flew through an ash cloud and temporarily lost power from all four engines . The plane was badly damaged , with all the leading edges being scratched . The front windscreens had been so badly " sand " blasted by the ash that they could not be used to land the aircraft
British Airways Flight 9
British Airways Flight 9
Aviation safety