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Renewed discussion -

The tragic plane crash in South Korea has sparked a renewed focus on aviation safety. Investigators are probing potential factors, such as faulty landing gear and a possible bird strike, which has understandably heightened passenger anxieties about the risks of bird collisions.

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Common occurrence -

Bird strikes are frequent in aviation, as highlighted in a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report. From 1988 to 2023, wildlife strikes across the United States tragically resulted in the deaths of 76 individuals across civilian and military aircraft.

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What is a bird strike? -

A bird strike occurs when an aircraft collides with a bird during flight. These collisions can be hazardous since birds ingested by jet engines can cause significant damage, potentially leading to loss of power.

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How common are they? -

In 2023, the FAA recorded 19,603 wildlife strikes across the United States, averaging about 54 incidents per day. While the majority of these encounters had no significant impact, 3.6% resulted in some degree of aircraft damage.

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How common are they? -

In the UK during 2022, over 1,400 bird strikes were recorded. While a significant number, data from the Civil Aviation Authority reveals that only about 100 of these incidents actually impacted aircraft operations.

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Global figure -

According to Marco Chan, a former pilot and senior lecturer in aviation operations at Buckinghamshire New University, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) reports over 13,000 wildlife strikes worldwide each year.

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Bird's-eye view -

However, considering that approximately 40 million commercial flights were operated globally each year prior to the pandemic, as reported by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Chan emphasized that bird strikes occur relatively infrequently, affecting roughly one in every 3,000 flights.

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Flying past it -

While bird strikes can pose a risk to aircraft, particularly by potentially stalling or shutting down engines, they rarely result in fatal crashes. Pilots are typically trained to manage such incidents, and can usually execute safe emergency landings.

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Added risks -

Modern aircraft are generally designed to withstand most bird strikes without significant damage. However, as Chan points out, certain factors can increase the risk of more serious consequences.

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Added risks -

Collisions with larger birds or multiple birds pose a greater risk of damage, particularly when they impact critical areas such as engines, windshields, or vital systems like control surfaces and hydraulics.

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How do they happen? -

The high speeds at which aircraft travel significantly increase the force of a bird strike. These collisions frequently occur during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff and landing, when time for response is limited.

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What do they impact? -

Direct impacts to the landing gear during a bird strike are less frequent due to its typically more shielded position and design compared to engines or windshields. However, they can indirectly cause landing gear malfunctions by damaging critical components such as hydraulic lines and control systems.

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Bird-strike prevention -

Pilots are specifically trained to heighten their awareness during periods of peak bird activity, such as early morning and sunset, as emphasized by aviation expert and professor Doug Drury.

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Bird-strike prevention -

Airports and air traffic control centers utilize advanced systems designed to proactively detect bird activity, enhancing aviation safety.

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Not under the radar -

In 2022, Berlin Brandenburg Airport installed a new system to prevent bird strikes. This system uses 3D radar to detect bird flocks up to nine miles (15 km) away. When birds are detected, ground-based wildlife control crews are notified and activate pyrotechnics to scare them away from the runways.

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Getting creative -

At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the "Scare Wars" program utilizes a range of tactics, including electronic deterrents and even a stuffed coyote named Wily. This USDA-provided coyote decoy is strategically moved around the airport to frighten birds, particularly during migration.

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Bird watching -

Other airports utilize trained birds of prey to deter nuisance species. At Pearson International Airport near Toronto, Canada, Falcon Environmental Services, led by VP of Wildlife Control Rob Shevalier, employs falcons to scare away geese, ducks, and seagulls.

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Predator squad -

JFK International Airport in New York has successfully employed this technique since the 1990s. Pictured: wildlife biologist Steven Garber releases a peregrine falcon as part of JFK's Bird Hazard Management Program.

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Professional "bird scarers" -

To mitigate the risk of bird strikes, USDA Wildlife Services also employs pyrotechnic launchers to deter birds near Denver International Airport. Deployed by wildlife professionals, these launchers fire loud, explosive devices to scare away birds, particularly raptors attracted to the area by abundant rabbit populations.

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Birds of a feather -

The Smithsonian's Bird Sleuth program utilizes a unique approach to track the rise of jet-related bird strikes. Specialists meticulously compare feathers recovered from aircraft collisions with museum specimens, like the red-tailed hawk (pictured).

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Birds of a feather -

By identifying the specific bird species involved in each strike, this data provides crucial insights into collision patterns, ultimately allowing for more effective mitigation strategies to minimize future risks.

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Notable accidents -

While uncommon, bird strikes can have severe consequences, including tragic loss of life. Click on to explore notable examples of these incidents.

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Alaska Air Force base -

A tragic example occurred in 1995 near an Air Force base in Alaska, where a collision with a flock of geese resulted in the loss of all 24 Canadian and American airmen aboard the aircraft.

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Hudson River -

On January 15, 2009, shortly after takeoff from New York's LaGuardia Airport, US Airways Flight 1549 encountered a flock of Canadian geese, disabling both engines of the Airbus A320.

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Hudson River -

Captain Chesley Sullenberger made the courageous decision to land the aircraft in the Hudson River. The swift and decisive actions of the crew, combined with the rapid response of emergency services, resulted in the safe evacuation of all 155 passengers and crew members, earning the incident the legendary title of the "Miracle on the Hudson."

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Lake Palourde Base -

On January 4, 2009, a PHC Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter crashed 12 miles (19 km) from the Lake Palourde Base Heliport in Louisiana, killing eight of the nine people on board. Investigation revealed a collision with a red-tailed hawk caused significant damage to the aircraft.

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Ethiopian Airlines -

On October 29, 1987, an Ethiopian Airlines flight encountered a flock of birds. The aircraft subsequently broke apart during an emergency gear-up landing, resulting in the tragic deaths of 35 of the 98 passengers. Six crew members survived the accident.

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Winthrop Bay -

On October 4, 1960, Eastern Airlines Flight 375, taking off from Boston Logan International Airport, encountered a massive flock of starlings shortly after liftoff. The impact caused significant engine damage, forcing the aircraft to crash into Winthrop Bay. Tragically, only 10 of the 72 people on board survived.

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South Korea -

The deadliest plane crash in South Korean history has left aviation experts questioning the role of a potential bird strike. While a bird strike warning was issued by air traffic control, followed by a mayday call and an attempted landing, it remains unclear whether the aircraft actually collided with any birds.

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South Korea -

While a bird strike may have occurred, specialists say the accident severity suggests it's unlikely to be the primary cause. Given that the main issue appears to be a landing gear malfunction, Professor Richard Curran of City University of London also doubts a bird strike could have directly caused such significant damage.

Sources: (The New York Times) (Reuters) (BBC) (Simple Flying) (Anadolu Agency)

See also: Major aviation disasters in the US

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