Bird strikes are a serious hazard for aircraft. A bird strike occurs when a bird collides with an aircraft, either in flight or while the aircraft is on the ground. Bird strikes can cause significant damage to aircraft and in some cases lead to crashes resulting in loss of life. Determining how often bird strikes occur is important for understanding and addressing this aviation safety issue.
What is a Bird Strike?
A bird strike happens when a bird collides with an aircraft. This typically occurs during takeoff or landing, but can also happen while an aircraft is climbing, descending, or cruising. The bird is usually killed instantly on impact. Bird strikes can result in dents, punctures, or holes in the aircraft structure, damaged engines, broken windshields, and other harm. If the damage is significant, it can force the aircraft to make an emergency landing or even crash.
Types of Bird Strikes
There are two main types of bird strikes:
Ingestion Strikes: This is when birds are sucked into aircraft jet engines. Engine failure may occur immediately or engines can be seriously damaged and shut down later in flight. Loss of thrust can be critical at low altitudes.
Structural Strikes: This refers to birds colliding with the body of the aircraft rather than the engines. Damage will depend on the size of the bird and speed of the aircraft. Structural strikes can shatter windshields, damage wings, and puncture the fuselage.
What are the Dangers of Bird Strikes?
Bird strikes are a serious aviation hazard:
– Bird strikes have resulted in over 250 fatalities and destruction of more than 229 aircraft since 1988.
– One bird or several birds colliding with a plane can cause significant damage and danger. For example, birds sucked into engines can lead to sudden engine failure.
– The wreckage of a 12 pound Canada goose shattered the windshield of an aircraft at 220 knots. It caused severe facial injuries to the pilot.
– A 4 pound bird striking the windshield of an aircraft at 250 knots caused the windshield to shatter inward; the pilot was sucked halfway out suffering serious injuries.
– The highest risk of a bird strike is during takeoff and landing due to lower speeds and altitudes. A bird strike can force the aircraft to abort takeoff or make an emergency landing.
– Altitude loss after a bird strike reduces options for emergency landing sites. Loss of power at low altitudes significantly raises the risk profile.
Annual Number of Reported Bird Strikes in the U.S.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires commercial airlines and major airports to report all bird and wildlife strikes. These statistics provide key data on the frequency of bird strike occurrences. According to FAA data:
– In 1990, there were 1,759 reported bird strikes in the U.S.
– By 2000, the number grew to 3,865 reported bird strikes.
– In 2010, the FAA received 7,092 reports of bird strikes, a new annual record.
– In 2018, wildlife strikes (97% involving birds) totaled 14,661 reported incidents, a 3.8% increase from 2017 which saw 14,110 strikes.
– From 1990 to 2018, 142,605 wildlife strikes were reported to the FAA.
This data shows a clear trend of increasing bird strikes over time as air traffic grows. The number has more than quadrupled over the past 30 years. However, these only include reported bird strikes. The FAA estimates the actual number of bird and wildlife strikes is between 2 to 9 times higher than what is reported.
Total Reported Bird Strikes in the U.S. by Year
Year | Total Reported Bird Strikes |
---|---|
1990 | 1,759 |
2000 | 3,865 |
2010 | 7,092 |
2018 | 14,661 |
This table shows the rapid growth in reported bird strikes over the years. The number has risen over 8-fold from 1990 to 2018.
Estimated Total Annual Bird Strikes
Since significant underreporting of bird strikes is known to occur, the FAA generates estimates of the actual total number of bird strikes annually in the U.S. Their methodology considers the number of reported strikes and factors in underreporting rates.
Recent FAA estimates of total annual bird strikes are:
– In 2009, between 97,000 and 103,000 bird strikes were estimated to have occurred.
– In 2012, the estimated range was 112,000 – 164,000 bird strikes for the year.
– In 2014, between 127,000 – 255,000 total bird strikes were estimated by the FAA.
– In 2018, between 163,000 – 257,000 bird strikes likely occurred based on FAA analysis.
These estimates indicate that the actual number of annual bird strikes in the U.S. ranges between 130,000 to 300,000 per year based on current data. However, only around 10-20% of these are reported to authorities. Increased reporting would improve statistical data and the ability to reduce the risk of bird strikes.
Trends in Bird Strike Reporting
The FAA notes several key trends in their annual analyses of reported bird strike data:
– Bird strike reporting has increased steadily over the past decades, allowing for better statistics and analysis. This suggests improved reporting compliance.
– Strikes during descent, landing, and takeoff flights modes accounted for 71% of all reported bird strikes in 2018, unchanged from previous years. This highlights the critical nature of the risk during low altitude operations close to runways.
– For 2018, 28% of bird strikes occurred while aircraft were on the ground, mostly while taxiing or parked. Jet blast can blow birds into the paths of other aircraft on the ground.
– Gulls, waterfowl like geese, and raptors like hawks represent the most commonly struck bird species. These pose the greatest hazard to flight operations.
– Airports reporting over 100 wildlife strikes annually are considered “wildlife hazard critical” by the FAA. In 2018, 92 U.S. airports met this airport strike reporting threshold.
Conclusion
Bird strikes pose an increasing danger as air traffic grows annually. FAA data shows reported bird strikes quadrupled from 1990 to 2018. Expert estimates indicate the actual number of annual strikes in the U.S. ranges between 130,000 to 300,000. However, strike reporting is voluntary and underreporting remains high. Better reporting and statistics will allow for improved awareness, risk mitigation, and prevention of bird strikes. This remains an important aviation safety challenge. Proper wildlife hazard management programs at airports are critical. Continued diligence is required by aviation authorities and commercial airlines to address this significant flight safety issue.