Bird strikes have been a persistent hazard in aviation, leading to numerous accidents and incidents over the years. Here, we explore ten notable cases where bird strikes resulted in significant aviation disasters.
1. Eastern Air Lines Flight 375 (1960)
Eastern Air Lines Flight 375, which was operated by the Lockheed L-188 Electra, departed Logan International Airport on October 4, 1960. The plane pitched off the runway from Logan International, but the starlings ended up colliding with the tail of the aircraft which in turn saw all four engines sucking the birds in. The occurrence of events resulted in a tragic crash into East Boston, Massachusetts. Among the 72 passengers and crew members aboard the Eastern Airlines Flight 375, a total of 62 lost their lives as a result of the accident. Following this incident, it was clear that the presence of bird life near airports posed a serious threat, and consequently, it led to the enhancement of wildlife management methods surrounding airfields.
2. US Airways Flight 1549 (2009)
On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320, departed from New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Merely minutes into the flight, the aircraft struck a flock of Canada geese, causing both engines to fail. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles executed an emergency landing on the Hudson River. Remarkably, all 155 passengers and crew survived. This incident, often referred to as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” highlighted the potential severity of bird strikes and the importance of pilot training for emergency situations.
3. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 604 (1988)
On September 15, 1988, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 604, a Boeing 737-200, was taking off from Bahir Dar Airport when it collided with a flock of pigeons. Birds were ingested into both engines, leading to a dual engine failure. The pilots attempted to return to the airport but crashed short of the runway. Tragically, 35 of the 104 occupants lost their lives. This accident emphasized the need for effective bird control measures at and around airports to prevent such occurrences.
4. U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry Crash (1995)
On September 22, 1995, a U.S. Air Force Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, designated Yukla 27, took off from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. Shortly after departure, the aircraft struck a flock of Canada geese, leading to the failure of both left-side engines. The crew attempted to return to the base but were unable to maintain altitude, resulting in a crash that killed all 24 personnel on board. This incident led to increased awareness and implementation of wildlife hazard management programs at military airfields.
5. Ryanair Flight 4102 (2008)
On November 10, 2008, Ryanair Flight 4102, a Boeing 737-800, was on approach to Rome’s Ciampino Airport when it encountered a flock of starlings. Multiple birds were ingested into both engines, causing significant damage. The aircraft landed safely, but the left main landing gear collapsed upon touchdown, leading to a runway excursion. While there were no fatalities among the 172 passengers and crew, several individuals sustained minor injuries. The aircraft suffered substantial damage, highlighting the economic and safety impacts of bird strikes on commercial aviation.
6. Thomsonfly Boeing 757 Incident (2007)
In April 2007, a Thomsonfly Boeing 757 departed from Manchester Airport en route to Lanzarote. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck at least one bird, believed to be a crow, which was ingested into the starboard engine. The crew declared an emergency and returned to Manchester Airport, landing safely without injuries to passengers or crew. The incident was captured by aviation enthusiasts and underscored the ongoing threat posed by bird strikes during critical phases of flight.
7. KLM Flight 1673 (2004)
On November 28, 2004, KLM Flight 1673, a Boeing 737-400, departed from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport bound for Barcelona. During takeoff, the nose landing gear struck a bird. The crew continued the flight, unaware of the extent of the damage. Upon landing in Barcelona, the aircraft veered off the runway due to a failure in the nose wheel steering system, which had been compromised by the bird strike. All occupants evacuated safely, but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. This incident highlighted the importance of thorough post-bird strike inspections, even when immediate effects are not apparent.
8. Ural Airlines Flight 178 (2019)
On August 15, 2019, Ural Airlines Flight 178, an Airbus A321, took off from Moscow’s Zhukovsky International Airport. Shortly after departure, the aircraft flew through a flock of gulls, resulting in both engines ingesting birds and losing power. The crew executed an emergency landing in a cornfield approximately 5 kilometers from the airport. All 233 passengers and crew survived, with 74 sustaining minor injuries. The successful handling of this emergency was widely praised and drew comparisons to the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
9. Italian Frecce Tricolori Crash (2023)
On September 16, 2023, during a departure from Turin Airport for an airshow, an Aermacchi MB-339 jet of the Italian Air Force’s Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team experienced a sudden loss of engine power, possibly due to a bird strike. The pilot ejected before the aircraft crashed, suffering burn injuries. Tragically, debris from the crash struck a car, resulting in the death of a five-year-old girl and injuries to her family. This incident underscores the potential for bird strikes to have catastrophic consequences, not only for aviators but also for individuals on the ground.
10. Sikorsky S-76 Helicopter Crash (2009)
On January 4, 2009, a Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopter departed from Amelia, Louisiana, carrying eight passengers and two crew members. Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter struck a red-tailed hawk, which penetrated the windshield and impacted the engine control quadrant. This led to an uncommanded reduction of engine power and subsequent loss of control. The helicopter crashed into a marsh, resulting in the deaths of eight occupants and serious injuries to the lone survivor. This tragedy highlighted the vulnerability of rotorcraft to bird strikes and the need for enhanced protective measures.
The Threat of Bird Strikes
These incidents demonstrate the significant threat bird strikes pose to aviation safety. They have led to the development and implementation of various mitigation strategies, including improved aircraft design, advanced detection systems, and comprehensive wildlife management programs at airports. Continuous vigilance and adaptation are essential to minimize the risks associated with bird strikes in aviation.
The Role of Airport Wildlife Management
Modern aviation heavily relies on proactive wildlife management to mitigate bird strike risks. Airports around the world employ specialized teams and advanced technologies to minimize the presence of birds near runways. These measures include habitat modification, such as removing water bodies and vegetation that attract birds, and using deterrent systems like noise cannons, laser beams, or even trained falcons to scare them away. Additionally, airports invest in radar systems to detect bird activity in real-time, allowing air traffic controllers to warn pilots of potential hazards. These collective efforts aim to ensure safer skies for aviation while addressing ecological concerns in a responsible manner.
References:
Bird Strike
Accident and Serious Incident Reports: Wildlife Strike
Serious accident database
What is a bird strike? How can we keep planes safe from them in the future?
Bird Strikes in Aviation: Causes, Impact, and Prevention
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