The deposition of mineral debris in the turbine sections of various jet engines occurred after operation on Middle-East routes. Plasma sprayed ZrO2-Y2O3 thermal barrier coatings were aged with sand samples from several Middle-East locations at temperatures of 1200 to 1500 °C. At temperatures above 1400 °C, the molten sand formed glassy silicate debris that penetrated the ceramic coating completely, resulting in the absorption of ZrO2 and Y2O3 into the silicate. Two corrosion mechanisms were identified, determined by the amount of calcium-based minerals in the sand