Airplane bird strikes on the rise in USA: FAA opens files

WASHINGTON DC- Airplane collisions with birds have more than doubled at
13 major U.S. airports since 2000, according to USA Federal Aviation
Administration data released for the first time April 24.

The FAA list details more than 89,000 incidents since 1990.
Since 2000, pilots reported striking 59,776 birds.

The most common strike involved mourning doves – pilots reported hitting
2,291 between 2000 and 2008.

Other airborne victims included gulls (2,186), European starlings (1,427) and
American kestrels (1,422).

Topping the list of airports where planes were either substantially damaged
or destroyed by birds since 2000 were JFK Airport in New York with
at least 30 such accidents; and Sacramento Airport in California with
at least 28 such accidents. JFK, the nation’s 6th busiest airport,
is located amid wetlands that attract birds, and Sacramento Airport,
the nation’s 40th busiest, abuts farms whose crops draw birds.

Lovell Field, Chattanooga, TN registered the greatest increase in wildlife
strikes, going from four reported incidents in 2000 to 55 in 2008.

Reports also doubled at some of the nation’s busiest airports, including
New Orleans, Houston, Kansas City, Orlando and Salt Lake City.

Wildlife experts have said the population of some birds, particularly large
ones like Canada geese, has been growing as more and more birds find
the food to live near cities and airports year round rather than migrating.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the engine…