Volcanic eruptions pose a serious threat to aviation. Ash ingested by jet engines may lead to the slow but constant deterioration in engine performance and engine failure. The impingements of particles on the blades surfaces cause erosion damage and permanent losses in engine performance. The fan NASA ROTOR 67 (AGARD test case) has been modelled. An experimental investigation of an ash sample from Etna volcano  is in progress in order to improve the accuracy of numerical model with a better dimensional, morphological (SEM analysis) and fluid dynamic (fluidization bed) characterization.