BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE-USA

Promoting Education, Professionalism and

Technology to Reduce Wildlife Hazards to Aviation

RICHARD A. DOLBEER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE
WILDLIFE SERVICES
NATIONAL WILDLIFE
RESEARCH CENTER
Sandusky, Ohio USA
April 2001
 Bird and Other Wildlife Strikes are
an increasing World-wide Problem

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Air Force Suffers First AWACS Crash
ELMENDORF AFB, ALASKA, USA, Sep 23, 1995 (AP) - A huge AWACS battlefield–
radar plane carrying 24 military personnel crashed and burned on takeoff yesterday,
killing everybody on board. It was the first crash of an Airborne Warning and Control
System plane since the Air Force
began using them in 1977.
A source speaking on condition
of anonymity said the crash may
have been caused by about
a dozen geese found dead on the
runway.

Gore’s Plane Dodges Birds, Aborts Landing

TRAVIS AFB, CALIFORNIA, USA Jan 31, 1998 (AP) – Vice President Al Gore’s plane
aborted landing at Travis Air Force Base early Friday afternoon to avoid hitting a flock
of blackbirds…..
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Plane Hits Bird, Loses Engine
CALGARY, CANADA (Jul 1, 1998) – A commercial jetliner carrying 38
passengers from Edmonton to Yellowknife was forced to make an emergency
landing Wednesday after one of its two engines malfunctioned after hitting a bird.

Flock Forces Emergency Landing

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (Jul 28, 1999) – A TWA plane headed for New York was
forced to return to Israel’s airport for an emergency landing early Wednesday
after colliding with a flock of birds, knocking out one of the plane’s two
engines....*.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Birdstrike Disables Qatar Airlines Plane in Dhaka
DHAKA, BANGLADESH, Aug 20, 1998 (Reuters) - A bird slammed into a Qatar
Airlines plane just before take-off on Thursday, starting a fire in the wheel section and
causing the flight to be aborted,........

Errant Bird Grounds Albright Plane in Central France

LYON, FRANCE (Dec 10, 1998) – A bird grounded U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright on Wednesday. A winged creature, believed to be a hawk, flew into the engine
of her U.S. Air Force jet as it landed in Lyon, France, and disabled the plane.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Heron Wrecks A Jet With 341 on Board
LONDON ENGLAND (Sep 9, 1999) – A British Airways jet carrying 341 people was
written off by a heron. It wrecked one of the plane’s engines, forcing the 25-year-old
aircraft out of service. The pilot was 100 ft above the runway at Heathrow when there
was a pronounced thump. The flight engineer spotted severe damage through a cabin
window and the New York-bound plane immediately returned to London.

Seagull Forces Icelandic Jumbo To Turn Back

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND (Jul 9, 1999) (AP) – An Icelandic jumbo jet with 441
passengers on board had to turn back shortly after taking off for London on Thursday
when a seagull flew into one of the engines, an airline official said....

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Turkish Jet Makes Emergency Landing
ISTANBUL, TURKEY (Jan 1, 2000) AP – A Turkish Airlines plane headed for South
Africa was forced to return to Istanbul’s airport Saturday after colliding with a flock of
seagulls, knocking out one of the plane’s four engines, the Anatolia News Agency said.

Plane Crash Kills 21 in Rebel-held Congo

KIGALI, CONGO (Apr 20, 2000) –(Reuters)- At least 21 people including five Rwandan
army officers were killed when a transport plane crashed. A bird hit one of the engines
as it was taking off and the engine failed. They were unable to maintain thrust and it
landed with full fuel and exploded.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Polish Jumbo Makes Emergency Landing in Warsaw
WARSAW, POLAND (Sep 7, 2000) (Reuters) – A Polish LOT airlines Boeing 767
carrying 225 people made an emergency landing in Warsaw on Thursday after a bird
flew into one of the engines, an airline spokesman said. The Chicago-bound aircraft
which took off from Krakow dumped fuel before landing in Warsaw.

Dutch Airliner Loses Parts in Air

LOS ANGELES, USA (Aug 28, 2000) AP – A Boeing 747 made an emergency landing
after losing several aircraft pieces – including a dishwasher-sized engine part-shortly
after take-off, officials said. The KLM Royal Dutch airliner carrying 449 people was
forced to dump 83 tons of fuel over the ocean and return to Los Angeles after hitting a
large bird.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Air Afrique Birdstrike Strands 400 in Senegal
DAKAR, SENEGAL (Sep 1, 2000) – (Reuters)- Around 400 passengers have been
stranded for three days at Dakar’s main airport after their Air Afrique flight to
Paris was cancelled after a bird was sucked into an engine, a spokesman said on
Friday.

Plane-Geese Collision Injures Passenger in South Dakota

ABERDEEN, SD, USA (Nov 9, 2000) AP – One person was injured Wednesday
evening in a midair collision between a Mesaba Airlines plane and a flock of geese.
A Saab 340, carrying 22 passengers and 3 crew members, was bound for Aberdeen
from Minneapolis. A dislodged windshield wiper blade penetrated the fuselage and
embedded in a passenger’s leg.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Lauda Air Hit By Vulture, Lands Safely
KATHMANDU, NEPAL (Oct 12, 2000) (Reuters) – A Lauda Air Boeing 767 landed
safely at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport after being hit by a vulture
while landing at the airport on a flight from Vienna. A major accident was averted this
week when a Boeing 757 of China South West Airlines hit a vulture, forcing the the pilot
to brake seconds before being airborne on a flight to Lhasa. This is the fifth such
incident at Nepal’s only international airport in the period of one month.

Jet Blows Two Tires as Takeoff is Aborted

PORTLAND, OREGON, USA (Jan 22, 2001) (AP) – A Delta Airlines flight aborted
takeoff at Portland International Airport yesterday after a bird was sucked into an
engine. The MD-11 jet with 217 passengers was headed to Japan. The 3-engine jet
skidded to the end of the runway and blew 2 tires during the abrupt stop.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Jan-Feb 2001, Troy, Alabama Jet Owned by Cowboys’ Owner
Hits Deer, Crashes
TROY, ALABAMA USA (Jan 15, 2001) (AP) –
Learjet 60 owned by Dallas Cowboys owner
Jerry Jones crashed and burned when it struck
two deer while landing, injuring the pilot and co
pilot.

Second Aircraft Collides with Deer

in Two Months
TROY, ALABAMA USA (Feb 9, 2001) (AP) –
Two times in as many months, aircraft have
collided with deer at Troy’s airport. Last week,
another private jet collided with deer on the
runway. In the recent crash, no injuries were
reported but the aircraft was substantially
damaged.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 SAS Jet Flies into Flock of Gulls
STOCKHOLM, April 9, 2001 (Reuters) - A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) jet
carrying 143 passengers flew into a flock of seagulls after take-off on Monday,
forcing the pilot to return immediately to the airport to check for damage.

Errant Gull Sparks Plane Fire

HAMILTON, ONTARIO (April 10, 2001) – A WestJet Boeing 737 with 62
passengers was forced to return to the Hamilton Airport yesterday after a gull
was sucked into an engine, starting a fire. Passengers said they smelled
something burning and saw 15-meter flames shoot from one of the two engines.

German Tourists make Kenya Emergency Landing

MOMBASA, KENYA, April 19, 2001 (Reuters) - A charter plane carrying more
than 250 German tourists made an emergency landing at Kenya's second
largest city of Mombasa on Thursday when one of its engines sucked in two
flamingos and caught fire, officials said.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
WHY ARE BIRD STRIKES AN INCREASING
PROBLEM FOR AVIATION?
1. Increasing populations of many bird
species hazardous to aviation
2. Adaptation of birds to urban settings
3. Increasing air traffic
4. Faster, quieter 2-engine jet aircraft
5. Increased liability issues with bird strikes
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 10 Ring-billed Gull Population Increased 4-Fold
in USA, 1966-1999
MEAN BIRDS COUNTED/ BBS ROUTE

0
1966

1969

1972

1975

1978

1981

1984

1987

1990

1993

1996

1999
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 NON-MIGRATORY CANADA GOOSE POPULATION
QUADRUPLED IN USA, 1986-1998
2.5 A Canada goose struck by an aircraft at lift-off (240
km/hr) generates the force of a 400-kg weight dropped
No. of Geese (x 1 Million)

from height of 3 meters

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
1970

1972

1974

1976

1978

1980

1982

1984

1986

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Canada Goose Collision with C-141, Ohio, USA

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 LESSER (MID-CONTINENT) SNOW GOOSE
POPULATION INCREASED 3-FOLD IN NORTH
AMERICA, 1970-1998
3500

3000
No. of Geese (x 1000)

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
1970

1972

1974

1976

1978

1980

1982

1984

1986

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 MEAN BIRDS COUNTED/BBS ROUTE

0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
Turkey Vulture

1978 Red-tailed Hawk

1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
 RAPTORS! Red-tailed Hawk
remains after strike

Bald Eagle
& C-130

Golden Eagle
through windshield
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 THE PALM BEACH POST WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19, 2000

Collision with bird caused F-16 crash

A turkey vulture that hit the canopy of an F-16 caused

the July crash that killed an Air Force Reserve pilot in
Okeechobee County, according to a report released by
Air Force .........

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 THE TOLEDO BLADE MONDAY DECEMBER 13, 1999

Plane makes emergency landing here

A Boeing 747 cargo jet taking off from Toledo Express

Airport yesterday struck a red-tailed hawk that went into
an engine, disabling it and forcing the aircraft to make an
emergency landing…..
A caller to the Lucas County sheriff’s office reported
hearing a large boom and seeing one of the jet’s engines on
fire….

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 More Examples of Population Growth of Species Hazardous to Aviation:
BREEDING POPULATION OF SANDHILL CRANES
INCREASED 15-FOLD, 1966-1999, WISCONSIN , USA
9.0

8.0
No. of Cranes/BBS Route

7.0

6.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0
1966

1969

1972

1975

1978

1981

1984

1987

1990

1993

1996

1999
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 BREEDING POPULATION OF DOUBLE-CRESTED
CORMORANTS ON THE GREAT LAKES (USA & CANADA)
INCREASED 1000-FOLD, 1972-1997
120000

100000
NESTING PAIRS

80000

60000

40000

20000

0
1968
1970

1972
1974
1976
1978

1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990

1992
1994
1996

1998
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 WHITE-TAILED DEER POPULATION IN USA INCREASED
FROM 0.3 MILLION TO 26 MILLION, 1900-2000
30
About 500 deer-aircraft collisions were
WHITE-TAILED DEER (X 1 MILLION)

25
reported at USA Airports, 1990-2000

20

15

10

0
1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 COMMERCIAL AIR TRAFFIC IN USA INCREASED
3% PER YEAR, 1982-2000
35
AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS (x 1 MILLION)

31

27

23

19

15
1982

1984

1986

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 PASSENGER ENPLANEMENTS
(x 1 MILLION)

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900

1980
1982

1984
1986

1988
1990

1992
1994

1996
COMMERCIAL AVIATION, USA

1998

2000
2002
Projected

2004
 7000
COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT IN USA FLEET
6000
NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT

With 2 engines
5000

4000

3000

2000

1000
With 3-4 engines

0
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 REPORTED WILDLIFE STRIKES WITH CIVIL AIRCRAFT IN USA
TRIPLED FROM 1990-2000
6000
NUMBER OF REPORTED STRIKES

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
USDA/NWRC/OHIO1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
 THE STAR LEDGER MONDAY NOVEMBER 9, 1998

Geese at airport cost PA $5 million

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
has paid Air France $5.3 million in compensation
for extensive damages inflicted on a Concorde jet
by a flock of Canada geese at John F. Kennedy
International Airport…Repairs and other costs to
Air France were said to have exceeded $9 million
(U.S.).

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 USA AIRPORTS REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM
USDA WILDLIFE SERVICES BIOLOGISTS, 1990-2000
450

400

350
NUMBER OF AIRPORTS

300

250

200

150

100

50

0
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 WHY HAVE A BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA?
MANAGING BIRD STRIKES IN THE AIRPORT
ENVIRONMENT CREATES UNIQUE CHALLENGES:

1. 90% of strikes are by native bird species federally

protected by International Treaty (MBTA).
2. Public is sensitive to killing of birds.
3. However, birds rapidly habituate to most non-lethal
frightening devices and techniques.
4. Birds are dynamic, often flying >25 miles daily
between nesting/roosting sites and feeding areas.
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 WHY HAVE A BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA?

Management of wildlife strikes is complex, requiring communication

and cooperation among professional groups that normally do not
work together (airport managers, wildlife biologists, engineers,
pilots).

Within the USA, there was no forum where these groups could
exchange information and address concerns dealing with the wildlife
strike problem.

Bird and other wildlife strikes with aircraft are an increasing problem
in the USA & throughout the world.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 WHY HAVE A BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA?
Bird Strike Committee USA was formed in 1991 to:

v Facilitate the exchange of information among the diverse groups

dealing with wildlife strike issues.
v Promote collection and analysis of accurate wildlife strike data.
v Promote development of new technologies for reducing wildlife
hazards.
v Promote professionalism in wildlife management programs on
airports.
v Be a liaison to similar organizations in other countries.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 Bird Strike Committee USA is directed by a
nine-person steering committee:

v Aviation Industry 3 Members

v Federal Aviation Administration 2 Members
v U.S. Department of Agriculture 2 Members
v U.S. Department of Defense 2 Members

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 WHEN AND WHERE DOES BIRD STRIKE
COMMITTEE-USA MEET?

v The organization meets annually in

association with an airport.
v Since 1999, annual meetings have been
held jointly with Bird Strike Committee
Canada.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 WHAT HAPPENS AT A BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE-
USA MEETING?
There typically are four parts to a Bird Strike
Committee USA meeting over 3 days.

Presentation of technical papers or reports.

Vendor and poster sessions.
Training session on wildlife control policies at airports that covers
both civil and military aviation.
Field trip to the host airport and wildlife attractants near airport that
may impact aviation safety. The field trip also includes vendor
demonstrations of products and techniques.
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
DEMONSTRATIONS AT BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA
MEETING IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN AUG 2000.

GODZILLA!

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
DEMONSTRATIONS AT BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA
MEETING IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN AUG 2000.
PROPANE CANNON/
HUNTER SILHOUETTE

HAWK TRAPPING
AND RELOCATION

PELLET GUN FOR

PIGEON REMOVAL

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA MEETING IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN
RECEIVED EXCELLENT PRESS COVERAGE, AUG 2000.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 WHAT SUBJECT AREAS ARE COVERED DURING THE
TECHNICAL SESSIONS?
vBird and other wildlife strike reporting/statistics
vWildlife management and control techniques
vNew technologies to reduce wildlife hazards
vTraining in wildlife management on airports
vMilitary concerns of wildlife hazards
vAircraft engines/components and wildlife hazards
vGovernment policies concerning wildlife hazards
vLand-use issues concerning airports
vBird migration, behavior and physiology
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 VANCOUVER
BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE-USA

MSP
CLEVELAND
400 ANNUAL MEETING ATTENDANCE

BOSTON
350

-30
NUMBER OF ATTENDEES

300
NEW YORK CITY (JFK)

PHOENIX
250

Y R AG L A C
200

DALLAS
CHICAGO
SEATTLE

150
ATLANTIC CITY

100

50

0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 What can aviation industry do to minimize
wildlife hazards to aviation:
Pilots/mechanics/airlines
• Report all wildlife strikes and wildlife hazards on airports.
• Support research and management programs to reduce
wildlife hazards to aviation.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 What can aviation industry do to minimize
wildlife hazards to aviation:
Airport Operations
1. Maintain database of all strikes and obtain accurate
identification of species involved.
2. Employ trained, qualified personnel to:
a) Assess wildlife hazards on airport,
b) Based on the wildlife hazard assessment, develop a
wildlife hazard management plan for the airport,
c) Implement the plan to manage wildlife hazards at
airports,
d) Work with surrounding landowners and local
government to minimize wildlife attractants near airport.
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 What can aviation industry do to minimize
wildlife hazards to aviation:
Engine and Aircraft Manufacturers

1. Based on data from the Wildlife Strike Databases, develop

more strike-resistant components for aircraft and engines.

2. Support research and management programs to reduce

wildlife hazards to aviation.

USDA/NWRC/OHIO
 OUR GOAL:
SAFER SKIES FOR ALL WHO FLY:
BIRDS AND PEOPLE!

THANK YOU
www.birdstrike.org
USDA/NWRC/OHIO
BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE USA
BIRD STRIKE COMMITTEE CANADA
27-30 AUGUST 2001, 3rd JOINT ANNUAL MEETING
HOSTED BY

CALGARY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

*FIELD TRIP & FIELD DEMONSTRATIONS
*TRAINING SESSIONS & EXHIBITORS
*TECHNICAL SESSIONS
*ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSIONS
*USA-CANADA WATER VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION AT WWW.BIRDSTRIKE.ORG
USDA/NWRC/OHIO