Recurrent ingestion of dust into a turbine engine can result in which damage?

• A. Cavitation damage.
• B. Erosion damage to the compressor and turbine sections.
• C. Excessive fuel richness.
• D. Oil leakage.

Answer: (B)

Dust entering a turbine engine brings hard, abrasive particles into the high-speed flow path. When those particles strike the compressor and turbine blades, they wear away material, creating pits and rough surfaces. This abrasion reduces blade efficiency, alters clearances, and accelerates wear across the rotating and stationary parts, leading to degraded performance and potential failures. So, erosion damage to the compressor and turbine sections is the result of recurrent dust ingestion.

Cavitation damage happens in liquids under low pressure, not from solid dust in an air intake. Excessive fuel richness is a combustion issue, not a direct consequence of dust ingestion. Oil leakage is related to lubrication faults, not the abrasive wear from dust in the intake.