Significant Australian birdstrikes

6. Significant Australian birdstrikes

6.1 Bird engine ingestions

Most birdstrikes in which an engine ingestion occurred involved aircraft powered by turbofan engines. This is related to the relatively larger engine air intake and suction of these engines compared with other engine types, and because of the longer landing and take-off runs of most turbine aircraft (resulting in a higher exposure to altitudes where birds fly more frequently).

Figure shows the percentage of birdstrikes where an engine ingestion occurred, compared with the type of engine involved. Turbofan engine aircraft had the highest proportion of ingestions per strike, with one in every nine strikes involving at least one bird being ingested into an engine.

Figure : Percentage of birdstrikes resulting in an engine ingestion by engine type (where known) over the 2004 - 2013 period

Most birdstrikes involving an engine ingestion involved aircraft being used for high capacity air transport (80 per cent). Aircraft operating these services (such as Boeing and Airbus aircraft) are primarily fitted with turbofan engines. Table shows that the number of engine ingestions for high capacity air transport operations had been increasing until 2011 but has since decreased to the lowest level in 10 years. While the number of ingestions involving low capacity air transport aircraft has remained relatively steady after peaking in 2008.

During take-off form Gold Coast Aerodrome, Qld, on rotation the pilot reported striking a bird which was ingested into the right engine. A loud noise was heard but the take-off was continued. After the landing gear was retracted erratic indications were observed for the right engine, accompanied by significant vibrations and noise. The engine was shut down, a Pan⁷ declared, and the aircraft was returned to the Gold Coast. Upon landing an inspection showed damage caused by a flying fox included bent and broken fan blades in the right engine, severed fuel lines and a hole in engine cowl where liberated fan blades exited the engine

(21 June 2013).

Significant occurrences involving engine ingestions

Table above shows that multiple engine ingestions account for less than two per cent of all bird engine ingestion occurrences. Multiple engine ingestions present a greater hazard to aviation safety, as the potential for loss of thrust to more than one engine exists, which may result in an aircraft being unable to maintain height.

There have been no multiple engine ingestions reported for any aircraft in the 2012 – 2013 period.


Airbus A320 Engine ingestion on take-off

As the aircraft was rotating for take-off from Gold Coast Aerodrome, Qld both pilots noticed 2 birds flying across their path. A loud bang was heard followed by vibrations, and smoke and sparks were observed emanating from an engine. The engine instruments indicated an engine failure and a Mayday was declared. Subsequently the engine indications returned to normal and the Mayday was downgraded to a Pan and the aircraft returned to the Gold Coast. An inspection revealed fan blade damage that was found to be from a duck, see figure below (20 May 2013).