This is what happens when the leading edge of a quickly revolving rotor hits tiny particles of sand.
This is what happens when the leading edge of a quickly revolving rotor hits tiny particles of sand. The sand is actually harder than the titanium or nickel edge used on these rotors to prevent the leading edge of these massively expensive blades from prematurely wearing. The sand hits the rotors and takes microscopic bits of metal off the blade. This metal is pyrophoric, meaning it ignites as it comes in contact with air.Combine millions of these tiny flashes and you get the Kopp-Etchells Effect.viaPhillip NeymanMore on RHB_RBS -- source link