Segment Information (Consolidated Total Assets, Depreciation and Amortization, and Capital Expenditures by Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Assets	$ 1,781,434	$ 1,663,233	$ 1,696,422
Property, plant and equipment, net	206,725	193,524
Depreciation and amortization	75,393	75,616	63,948
Capital expenditures	48,255	28,104	28,947
Aerospace [Member]
Assets	1,036,797	994,868	1,042,956
Depreciation and amortization	50,167	50,611	38,643
Capital expenditures	34,007	13,744	11,612
Energy [Member]
Assets	569,929	461,900	439,167
Depreciation and amortization	21,691	21,165	22,452
Capital expenditures	14,168	11,578	15,158
Unallocated Corporate [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, net	8,556	6,111	6,857
Other unallocated assets	166,152	200,354	207,442
Depreciation and amortization	3,535	3,840	2,853
Capital expenditures	80	2,782	2,177
Total of Reporting Segments [Member]
Assets	1,606,726	1,456,768	1,482,123
Depreciation and amortization	71,858	71,776	61,095
Capital expenditures	$ 48,175	$ 25,322	$ 26,770