What is a typical consequence of flying through volcanic ash?

Flying through volcanic ash can have serious and detrimental effects on aircraft engines and other components. The correct answer refers to the potential for volcanic ash to glaze hot turbine components. This occurs because volcanic ash consists of small, abrasive particles that can melt and form a glassy layer on the surfaces of engine components such as turbine blades. This glazing can significantly degrade engine performance and efficiency, potentially leading to engine failure.

When this glazing occurs, it impairs the ability of the engine to operate effectively, as it alters the design specifications that these components were built to maintain. Additionally, when ash particles are ingested into the engine, they can cause erosion, clog filters, and lead to overheating, which further compounds the risk of failure.

The other options do not accurately reflect the severe implications of flying through volcanic ash. For example, the notion that no significant damage occurs is misleading given the well-documented cases of engine failures and other issues resulting from ash ingestion. Similarly, the idea that ash could improve engine performance is fundamentally incorrect; it leads to degradation rather than enhancement of performance. Finally, the statement that volcanic ash only affects small aircraft is also inaccurate because both small and large aircraft are vulnerable to the harmful effects of volcanic ash.