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In December 2024, the tragic crash of a Jeju Air passenger plane in South Korea sent shockwaves through the aviation world. While the investigation is ongoing, the possibility of a bird strike has emerged as a key focus.
According to data compiled by the United States Fish and Wildlife Services, bird strikes cause annual damages amounting to approximately US$900 million in the US alone. But what types of birds pose the greatest threat? And what measures are being taken to prevent these dangerous encounters?
Click through this gallery to learn more.
The tragic plane crash in South Korea, which claimed 181 lives, sparked a renewed focus on aviation safety. Investigators are probing potential factors, such as a faulty landing navigation system and a possible bird strike, which has understandably heightened passenger anxieties about the risks of bird collisions.
Bird strikes are frequent in aviation, as highlighted in a recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report. From 1988 to 2023, 292,000 wildlife strikes were recorded across the United States, of which 97% involved birds. This has resulted in the deaths of 76 individuals across civilian and military aircraft.
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.
In 2023 alone, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Airports and air traffic control centers utilize advanced systems designed to proactively detect bird activity, enhancing aviation safety.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
While uncommon, bird strikes can have severe consequences, including tragic loss of life. Click on to explore notable examples of these incidents.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
The deadliest plane crash in South Korean history has left aviation experts questioning the role of a potential bird strike. A bird strike warning was issued by air traffic control, followed by a mayday call and an attempted landing.
While a bird strike did occur, specialists say the accident severity suggests it's unlikely to be the primary cause. Given that an anomaly in the 'localizer' landing guidance structure may have also played a part, Professor Richard Curran of City University of London also doubts a bird strike alone, could have directly caused such significant damage.
Sources: (The New York Times) (Reuters) (BBC) (Simple Flying) (Anadolu Agency)
See also: At least 18 injured after Delta flight flips on snowy runway in Toronto
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LIFESTYLE Plane disaster
In December 2024, the tragic crash of a Jeju Air passenger plane in South Korea sent shockwaves through the aviation world. While the investigation is ongoing, the possibility of a bird strike has emerged as a key focus.
According to data compiled by the United States Fish and Wildlife Services, bird strikes cause annual damages amounting to approximately US$900 million in the US alone. But what types of birds pose the greatest threat? And what measures are being taken to prevent these dangerous encounters?
Click through this gallery to learn more.