Birds are the leading natural cause of flight incidents.
1. Birds
Birds are the primary natural reason for flight incidents. Aviation authorities worldwide have documented thousands of bird strikes each year, with approximately 80% of these incidents going unrecorded.
Accidents occur when birds collide with the aircraft windshield or are sucked into the engines, causing damage.
Inside a jet engine after a bird strike.
Most collisions occur at low altitudes during takeoff and landing. However, aircraft have been known to strike birds at altitudes between 6,000 to 9,000 meters, and some species of geese can fly as high as 10,000 meters. The annual damage caused by bird strikes amounts to approximately $1.2 billion.
Today, many solutions have been implemented to reduce these collisions. Numerous modern airports around the world have constructed observation towers to forecast the flight paths of migrating bird species.
Other measures include broadcasting sound to deter birds near airports, clearing areas around airports to prevent nesting, and installing sharp objects on rooftops and poles to limit perching.
2. Lightning
Lightning striking an aircraft can cause temporary blindness for pilots.
Lightning has historically been a significant threat to flights. A lightning strike can cause temporary blindness for pilots, resulting in electrical failures and damage to the aircraft’s electronic instruments.
Typically, there are around 2,000 thunderclouds in the sky. These clouds can emit up to 100 lightning strikes every second.
The most catastrophic accident occurred in 1963 when a Pan American flight crashed due to a lightning strike, resulting in 83 fatalities.
Today, advancements in radar technology and weather forecasting have made it easier for flights to avoid thunderstorm clouds. Even in the event of a lightning strike, modern technology ensures that the aircraft remains safe and can continue its flight.
3. Turbulence
Turbulence is also a common cause of flight incidents. Most passengers have experienced shaking or jolting when an aircraft encounters turbulent air.
This phenomenon occurs in areas with fluctuating air pressure and convection currents influenced by mountainous terrain and the interface between hot and cold air masses. Turbulence can even occur in clear weather conditions.
Air turbulence is challenging to predict or detect using radar.
4. Storms
Storms are the strongest manifestation of air turbulence.
Storms are another significant threat to flights. The convective currents within storms can toss aircraft violently, causing damage or worse. Storms represent the most intense manifestation of air turbulence.
Consequently, airports maintain their own meteorological stations to forecast adverse weather conditions and provide real-time updates to pilots. Air traffic controllers must also monitor weather conditions to guide safe takeoffs and landings.
Today, radar technology can detect air vortices and predict the likelihood of nearby tornadoes, allowing for warnings to air traffic control centers and pilots.
5. Ice
Ice can form both in the air and on the ground, significantly affecting commercial aircraft. (Illustrative image).
In winter, ice forming on aircraft wings poses a considerable risk (leading to delays and cancellations). Ice from rain can reduce aircraft speed and hinder takeoff.
Ice can form both in the air and on the ground, greatly impacting commercial and smaller aircraft. From 1982 to 2000, 819 fatalities were attributed to this issue, mostly during the frigid winter months.
However, with modern applications and equipment, the detrimental effects of this phenomenon have been minimized. Nonetheless, checking for ice on aircraft wings is a mandatory requirement before takeoff.
