These massive machines, weighing tens of tons and valued in the millions, can encounter serious issues when faced with small birds.
On August 15, a Ural Airlines aircraft had to make an emergency belly landing in a cornfield on the outskirts of Moscow just minutes after takeoff. Local media dubbed this the “cornfield miracle.” One engine caught fire and fell off, and the landing gear did not have time to deploy, but the fuselage remained intact upon landing.
The A321 aircraft took off from Zhukovsky Airport, heading from Moscow to Simferopol (Crimea), carrying 226 passengers and 7 crew members. Just seconds after takeoff, a flock of birds flew into the aircraft’s engine, causing it to ignite. The crew decided to shut down the engine and make an emergency landing without returning to the airport.
Ural Airlines aircraft belly landing in a cornfield after colliding with a flock of birds. (Photo: AP).
This incident is one of the rare cases where a bird strike resulted in both engines being damaged. In reality, bird strikes with aircraft occur quite frequently. According to data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there were 14,661 reported wildlife strikes involving aircraft in 2018, averaging about 40 incidents per day.
Bird strikes have led to accidents over the past two decades, resulting in more than 106 fatalities and total damages of $1.2 billion. Not only passenger aircraft are affected; military planes also suffer from bird strikes. In early October, a U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft sustained engine damage, incurring $2 million in costs due to a bird strike during landing.
Why Do Birds Prefer Living Near Airports?
The sky is vast, and the likelihood of birds colliding with aircraft at high altitudes is quite low. Most strikes occur when aircraft are taking off or landing. The reason is that many bird species prefer to live around airport areas.
Bird strikes typically occur during takeoff or landing. (Photo: Getty).
Although the areas surrounding airports can be quite noisy, they provide an ideal environment for smaller bird species due to the lack of buildings and human populations. Larger predatory birds are generally not found near airports, making these locations safer for other bird species.
Recognizing this, many airports have undertaken renovations to make their environments less appealing to birds. They have removed some large trees, mowed grass more frequently, and reduced the number of water bodies surrounding the airport. Cherry Capital Airport in Michigan even employs dogs to scare birds away.
What Happens When an Aircraft Collides with a Bird?
When a bird strike occurs, the unfortunate victims are certainly the birds. Collisions with a single bird usually do not pose a significant risk to the aircraft, but strikes involving flocks can be different.
“Aircraft are designed to withstand bird strikes. Planes are tested with bird carcasses shot from guns to assess the durability of windshields and other components. I have encountered bird strikes multiple times, and the worst incident only left a dent on the aircraft’s body,” said pilot Patrick Smith in an interview with the Telegraph.
A Boeing 737 in Sudan damaged its nose from a bird strike during takeoff. (Photo: Aviation WG).
When birds are sucked into an aircraft’s engine, they are immediately shredded. If the bird is too large, the collision can damage the engine.
“Losing one engine does not cause an aircraft to crash immediately, as planes can still operate with one engine out. However, when a flock of birds strikes an engine, or when colliding with large birds like Canada Geese, serious accidents can occur,” said Stephen Landells, a safety expert from the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA).
“Birds can bend or break the engine’s fan blades. The larger and heavier the bird, the more severe the consequences. At a flying speed of 250 knots, colliding with a medium-sized goose exerts a force equivalent to 22.6 tons on the aircraft.
Smaller birds flying in flocks can also cause accidents. In 1960, an Eastern Airlines aircraft crashed in Boston after colliding with a flock of starlings,” explained Smith.
How Can Aircraft Avoid Bird Strikes?
In 2009, an Airbus A320 piloted by Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger collided with a flock of geese shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City. The collision caused both engines to fail, and the passengers survived only because Captain Sully managed to land the aircraft on the Hudson River.
The famous 2009 accident when a plane from New York collided with birds and had to land in the river. The movie “Sully,” released in 2016, is based on this incident. (Photo: AP).
This well-known accident was later adapted into a film released in 2016. Following the incident, the New York City government decided to implement several measures to reduce the number of birds around the airport. According to AP, from 2009 to 2017, the city killed nearly 70,000 birds to ensure safety at the airports.
Reducing bird populations near airports is a common measure to limit the number of accidents caused by bird strikes. In addition to biological measures, airports also employ technology to scare birds away. Ultrasonic guns, laser lights, and devices that mimic bird and predator sounds are used to deter birds from congregating at airports.
“We monitor bird activity 24/7 and keep detailed records. We also have various strategies to deter birds, such as using loudspeaker-equipped vehicles, removing food sources, managing grass length, and tracking bird flight paths,” shared Joe Audcent, a security staff member at Heathrow Airport, UK.
“Pilots have various methods to ensure birds recognize an approaching aircraft. The most important thing is to turn on the lights and manage speed so that birds can avoid the aircraft,” Landells stated.
