Damage caused to aircraft by birdstrikes

In January 2013, a Gatewing X100 remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) was being used for aerial survey work south of Perth, WA. During the cruise, the aircraft struck an Eagle resulting in it losing stability and colliding with terrain. The aircraft was destroyed.

Recent international birdstrikes resulting in serious damage

More recently on 31 July 2012, a Boeing 737-900 on descent to Denver, US, struck a single bird at 5,500 above the airport. Feather and DNA analysis identified it as a white-faced ibis, a bird with an average weight of 0.6 kg. Following the impact, noise in the flight deck increased markedly, making communication with air traffic control (ATC) and between the pilots difficult. The autopilot and autothrottle both disengaged and the airspeed indicator and vertical speed indicator on the captain’s side of the flight deck became inoperative, requiring the captain to use stand-by instruments. An emergency was declared. Due to confusing instrument readings, power settings relative to aircraft configuration along with ATC communications about the aircraft’s observed ground speed were used to make the approach, resulting in an uneventful landing. Damage to the aircraft included a large hole in the radome, a bent left-side pitot head with a piece of broken radome lodged on it, and a dent to the leading edge of the vertical stabiliser.⁹

6.3 Personal injuries resulting from birdstrikes

Injuries from birdstrikes have occurred mainly due to the bird penetrating the aircraft windscreen. However, some injuries have occurred due to some form of loss of control following the birdstrike. Sometimes, this is through emergency actions such as a forced landing that may have been required after a birdstrike to another part of the aircraft, such as the tail rotor (in helicopters) or the leading edge of the wing (in aeroplanes), where critical damage prevented safe and effective control of the aircraft.

Ten of the reported birdstrike occurrences between 2004 and 2013 resulted in injury, three of which were during 2012 and 2013. Eight occurred in general aviation, while two occurred during low capacity air transport operations. In all cases, the injuries received as a consequence of the birdstrike were minor.

One of the three occurrences in 2012-2013 resulting in injuries was the same wildlife strike occurrence mentioned previously involving a birdstrike followed by a collision with a bull, and is not included in this section. The remaining two occurrences are summarised below:


Cessna 210 Birdstrike with Kite penetrating windshield

During approach to land at Ramingining Aerodrome, NT, a bird (kite) was sighted approximately 200 m from the aircraft. The pilot attempted to manoeuvre but the bird struck the windshield of the Cessna 210, penetrating the windshield and hitting the pilot in the face. The pilot received minor abrasions but was able to continue the landing without further incident

(8 June 2012).

Cessna 152 Strike with Flying fox during night circuits

While conducting night circuits at Port Macquarie Aerodrome, NSW, the aircraft struck a flying fox which penetrated the windscreen. The crew suffered minor injuries and the aircraft sustained minor damage (18 July 2012).