Many people think that a muffler is a small part of the whole aircraft system but in reality, this small part plays a very important role in keeping your aircraft in good working condition.
No part of an aircraft is smaller or bigger as each part plays an important role in making your aircraft’s flight smooth. Therefore you must maintain and inspect every part of your aircraft regularly.
Also Read: What Are The Different Types Of Aircraft Maintenance Inspections?
Similarly, the muffler is a very vital part of your aircraft’s exhaust system, it is located behind the turbine system in your aircraft’s exhaust section.
The muffler helps to keep the aircraft’s exhaust gasses away from the engine and fuselage. So, during flight, the last thing you will want to experience is having a cracked muffler.
Since the muffler is a very small part of the whole exhaust system, most people don't know its importance in an aircraft.
But in reality, the muffler does a lot more than reducing the aircraft’s engine noise. The muffler has a very important and critical job of keeping carbon monoxide away from the exhaust of your aircraft and preventing it from entering the airplane’s cabin.
Many people are unaware of the dangers of having a cracked muffler in an aircraft exhaust system. In this blog post, we will list the dangers of having a cracked muffler.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The main job of a muffler is to prevent gasses like carbon monoxide from entering the plane’s cabin.
Therefore the biggest danger of having a cracked muffler is that it will let carbon monoxide inside the aircraft’s cabin poisoning the people on board.
Carbon monoxide is a gas that is produced by burning fuel. This gas is odorless and colourless which makes it difficult for people to even know that they are inhaling until it is too late.
This gas has a few severe effects on the human body such as dizziness, nausea and a headache and if inhaled at a higher percentage it can even lead to loss of consciousness or death.
After knowing the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning you might now realize the dangers of having a cracked muffler for the passengers and pilot.
Even a small amount of carbon monoxide poisoning can result in the pilot being disorientated and impair their judgment.
Hence it can be dangerous for everyone on the aircraft since it will cause the pilot to lose control over the airplane and that will lead to an aircraft crash.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a total of 31 accidents happened between 1982 to 2020 due to carbon monoxide poisoning and 23 accidents out of them were fatal.
So, there have been many accidents due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Moreover in order to avoid all of this you should conduct regular inspections and maintenance of your muffler by certified aviation welding specialists.
How To Deal With Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
If you are in the air and suspect that you are being affected by carbon monoxide poisoning then there are some steps that you can take to help you increase your survival chances:
Switch Off The Cabins Heat
The first thing you should do is turn off the cabin's heat as it will prevent the other toxic gasses from entering the airplane's cabin.
Let Fresh Air In
When you detect carbon monoxide poisoning you should let the fresh air in by opening the windows (if possible) and the vents of the aircraft.
Make An Emergency Landing
Try to land your aircraft as quickly as possible but make sure the landing is safe and is in a landing zone.
Get Medical Help
Even if you have landed safely it is very important that you seek medical assistance and get rid of all the toxins that have entered your body.
About Acorn Welding
Acorn Welding has been in the aircraft welding and maintenance industry for years. Our professionals have years of experience in aviation welding and maintenance that keep your aircraft in perfect condition.
We follow all safety rules and procedures to prevent any hazards during the maintenance process. Apart from this, we also offer aircraft parts. We are a one-stop shop for engine mounts and other related parts and offer high-quality aircraft welding services. We deliver nothing but the most precise services for aircraft welding. To get in touch with us, click here.
