United States Department of Transportation
i
Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft in the United States, 1990-2008
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2009-09-01
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[PDF-975.96 KB]
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Alternative Title:Federal Aviation Administration National Wildlife Strike Database Serial Report Number 15;Report of the Associate Administrator of Airports, Office of Airport Safety and Standards, Airport Safety & Certification: Washington, DC;
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Abstract:The 7,516 reported wildlife strikes to U.S. civil aircraft in 2008 brought the 19 year total of wildlife strikes between 1990 and 2008 to 89,727. Birds (97.4%) and terrestrial mammals (2.1%) were struck 72% of the time at or below 500 feet AGL and 92% of the time at or below 3,000 feet AGL. Both classes of animals were struck more often in the late summer/ autumn season. Fifty-one percent of bird strikes occurred between July and October while 61% of terrestrial mammal strikes occurred between July and November. Terrestrial mammals are more likely to be struck at night (64%) whereas birds are struck more often during the day (62%). Both birds (60%) and terrestrial mammals (55%) are more likely to be struck during the landing (i.e., descent, approach or landing roll) phase of flight compared to take-off and climb (37% and 34%, respectively). During the five years between 2004 and 2008 there was an average of 20 reported wildlife strikes/ day. Although aircraft strikes with terrestrial mammals resulted in a much higher likelihood of damage than strikes with birds (59% to 14%, respectively) the overall likelihood of a strike resulting in damage is 15%. Forty-nine strikes (<1% of total) have resulted in a destroyed aircraft; thirty-three (67%) of these occurred at a General Aviation airport.
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