Safety concerns: Passengers on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 suffered trauma after a door burst, but no major injuries were sustained. Following the incident, the jet was grounded, which resulted in numerous flight cancellations. As a result, some passengers have decided not to board the aircraft again. The incident has also reignited the debate over whether it’s okay to fly while holding a baby in your lap.
The most well-known bird strike event occurred in 2009 when a US Airways aircraft struck some geese after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport and lost power in both engines. The aircraft was brought down in the Hudson River by pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, and the incident became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.” ” All 155 people onboard survived.
In fact, more than 2,300 wildlife strikes have already been reported in 2023 — the vast majority of those animals being birds, according to a database maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration. Although 97 percent of the strikes involve birds, they can also include run-ins with bats or creatures on the ground, such as deer, coyotes, turtles or alligators.
Shahidi said airports need to manage their habitats to reduce or get rid of trees and plants that shelter birds, or address wetlands that can attract birds. Collecting data on what kinds of birds are involved in strikes is also important, he said, so the risks can better be managed. The Smithsonian Institution runs a Feather Identification Lab to identify species for that purpose.
The FAA received reports of almost 17,200 strikes in the US or on US soil last year. S. carriers in foreign airports. While still higher than any year since, it is marginally fewer reports than the over 17,300 that were filed in 2019. Although air traffic controllers are obligated to report incidents, reporting strikes is optional.
What is a ‘Bird Strike’?
According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a “bird strike” is defined as: –
“A bird striking an aircraft while it is in flight, or during takeoff or landing”
This basically implies that a bird strike could happen at any point during flight.
It doesn’t matter how big the bird is or how fast the plane is flying. Even tiny birds can pose a slight risk, even though the combination of larger birds and faster aircraft poses the greatest threat.
Surrounding Features and Fauna
Airports near the coast or in rural areas can be especially problematic. Larger birds are also drawn to rivers and lakes, which poses unique challenges and risks.
You may even be aware of one such instance where a bird strike actually resulted in a significant issue.
FAQ
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