Segment Information (Consolidated Total Assets, Depreciation and Amortization, and Capital Expenditures by Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Assets	$ 2,205,684	$ 1,859,964	$ 1,781,434
Property, plant and equipment, net	350,048	234,505
Other unallocated assets	207,535	178,605	166,152
Depreciation and amortization	74,233	68,617	75,393
Capital expenditures	141,600	64,900	48,255
Aerospace [Member]
Assets	1,349,027	1,059,754	1,036,797
Depreciation and amortization	49,887	43,840	50,167
Capital expenditures	74,964	32,244	34,007
Energy [Member]
Assets	599,007	605,842	569,929
Depreciation and amortization	20,890	21,738	21,691
Capital expenditures	28,137	22,590	14,168
Unallocated Corporate [Member]
Assets	50,115	15,763	8,556
Depreciation and amortization	3,456	3,039	3,535
Capital expenditures	38,499	10,066	80
Total of Reporting Segments [Member]
Assets	1,948,034	1,665,596	1,606,726
Depreciation and amortization	70,777	65,578	71,858
Capital expenditures	$ 103,101	$ 54,834	$ 48,175