Top 5 Risks of a Defected Aircraft Exhaust System

An aircraft’s exhaust system is one of the most vital components that ensure the safety of all present on the plane as well as the environment. Defective exhaust components of an airplane can result in loss of engine performance, fire, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Even a slight malfunction in an airplane exhaust can lead to catastrophic repercussions. Some of the leaks associated with these setups may vent into the heating systems and can become deadly for the pilots’ health. Fortunately, it’s possible to deal with such disastrous situations with the help of carbon monoxide detectors.

Most of the problems associated with a plane’s exhaust assembly can be prevented with regular inspection, which is also an essential preflight process. It’s the core responsibility of the aviation engineers to ensure that the aircraft are frequently monitored, maintained, and repaired.

Now, let’s discuss the top five risks that are associated with a defected aircraft exhaust system.

Wastage of Fuel

Maintaining the right fuel levels is vital for maintaining standard flight timings as well as for economic reasons. A commercial airline cannot afford to have an issue such as wastage of fuel. Unfortunately, a damaged exhaust system of an airplane leads to fuel wastage that can vastly disrupt flight schedules.

The fuel combustion process of an aircraft gets significantly impacted in case its exhaust mechanism is not functioning correctly. This sudden loss in the fuel efficiency of a jet causes flight delays with an extended need for repeated refueling. An inefficient fuel combustion procedure can also result in releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere, thus negatively impacting the environment.

Releasing Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that is highly injurious to human health. It’s the byproduct of the inefficient fuel combustion in an aircraft. According to global aviation standards, all airplanes need to be checked for possible emissions of carbon monoxide beyond safe levels. In case the expected levels of carbon monoxide release are higher than usual, it could result in the suspension of commercial flights for an airline.

Fire-related Hazards

A defected aircraft exhaust assembly also leads to the life-threatening fire-related hazards. The partial fuel combustion process results in leaving behind unburnt fuel, which can become a potential threat for the aircraft when thrown out of the exhaust pipes. The exhaust pipes themselves could get damaged as a result of dealing with the unburnt fuel continuously, eventually affecting the entire exhaust setup.

Insufficient Engine Performance

The exhaust assembly of an aircraft is highly responsible for maintaining the satisfactory performance of the engine by continually regulating the overall thrust and torque. No matter if you are a vintage aircraft owner or running the whole commercial airline company, you cannot afford to have a compromised airplane exhaust system.

Any issue with the exhaust arrangements of a jet will mean that your pilots won’t be able to gauge the performance of your aircraft, leading to more severe aircraft issues.

Backfiring Engine

The process of fuel combustion leads to the production of fumes, heat, and gases that need to be vented out through exhaust systems. If there is an issue with the fuel combustion process, it will result in an engine backfire, which is also a significant potential hazard. When the engine fails, the force of thrust also gets reversed, which can pose a serious threat to everyone present on the airplane.

In short, a non-functional aircraft exhaust system can prove to be catastrophic. A minor defect in these mechanisms can negatively impact engine functionality. For this reason, aviation experts emphasize that these systems must be inspected and maintained regularly to avoid potential airplane hazards.

Maria is a blogger and Business Analyst. She work closely with her clients to establish their business and grow them with right strategy. Follow her for latest updates on business, finance and on other technical topics.