Sand can lodge in an aircraft crevices and corrode the exterior of the plane. Common MRO fixes are using a new type of paint, modifying the method of paint application, and increasing the frequency of aircraft washing.
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Engine Ingestion
Sand ingested in engines can cause many damages including circumferential crack in combustion chambers.
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Windscreen Indentations
Wind-blown sand can cause indentations on aircraft windscreens.
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Erosion
Sand particles can erode rotor blades, turbine compressors and other exposed aircraft systems causing an increase in maintenance and possible delays.
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Sand, sand everywhere
Because of the massive quantity of sand in the Middle East, sand can accumulate inside the aircraft (increasing the dry operating weight), in electronics, and on lubricants used for maintenance.
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The Middle East aviation industry encounters many maintenance problems due to sand and sandstorms, above are the top 5 sand hazards.
