3.1 Birdstrikes by operation type
The number of birdstrikes reported to the ATSB by year and operation type is shown in Table and Figure below. On average the total number of reported birdstrikes has continued to increase between 2004 and 2013, although the total increase in the 2012 – 2013 period was far less than the 2 years prior. Between 2004 and 2013 the number of reported birdstrikes has also increased for each individual operation type, with the exception of the unknown group (generally from aerodrome operator reports of finding bird remains), which could be indicative of an increase in the quality of data reported to the ATSB. Interestingly, with the exception of military operations, all operation types experienced a reduction in reported birdstrikes in 2012 relative to 2011, before all increasing again in 2013.
Table : Number of birdstrikes per year by operation type
Operation Type
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
High capacity air transport
|
596
|
684
|
631
|
645
|
762
|
809
|
964
|
980
|
954
|
1,010
|
Low capacity air transport
|
194
|
204
|
199
|
216
|
218
|
256
|
262
|
337
|
268
|
313
|
General Aviation
|
99
|
125
|
91
|
130
|
158
|
185
|
151
|
163
|
151
|
192
|
Military
|
10
|
14
|
15
|
30
|
10
|
57
|
86
|
73
|
98
|
111
|
Unknown
|
186
|
251
|
298
|
237
|
192
|
203
|
239
|
198
|
173
|
143
|
Total
|
1,085
|
1,278
|
1,234
|
1,258
|
1,340
|
1,510
|
1,702
|
1,751
|
1,644
|
1,769
|
Figure : Number of birdstrikes per year by operation type, 2004 to 2013
Boeing C17A Globemaster engine ingestion on take-off - Military
During the take-off roll from Amberley Aerodrome, Qld, at approximately 90 knots the Captain observed a magpie appear to strike engine number one. A rejected take-off was conducted and the aircraft was taxied back to the lines and shutdown for inspection. Evidence of a bird strike was observed on the number one engine nacelle and further inspection found damage to some of the fan blades. The damaged blades were required to be replaced (4 March 2013).
The rate of birdstrikes per 10,000 aircraft movements is shown in Table and Figure below. High capacity air transport aircraft continue to have a significantly higher birdstrike rate than all other operation types. It is likely that the speed and size of these aircraft, longer take-off and landing rolls, and large turbofan engines are factors contributing to the higher rate. The rate for high capacity operations has, however, decreased markedly in the 2 years after a maximum in 2011 of 8.38 birdstrikes per 10,000 movements to 7.3 in 2012, then 7.45 in 2013. After slightly but steadily increasing from 2004 to 2010, the low capacity aircraft birdstrike rate jumped to a 10 year maximum in 2011 before decreasing again in 2013 to a rate similar to 2010. General aviation birdstrike rates have not significantly changed.
Table : Birdstrike rate per 10,000 movements per year by operation type4
Operation Type
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
High capacity air transport
|
7.08
|
7.6
|
6.79
|
6.67
|
7.09
|
7.54
|
8.33
|
8.38
|
7.3
|
7.45
|
Low capacity air transport
|
1.21
|
1.19
|
1.24
|
1.3
|
1.41
|
1.74
|
1.65
|
2.15
|
1.67
|
0
|
General Aviation
|
0.25
|
0.28
|
0.25
|
0.36
|
0.4
|
0.5
|
0.38
|
0.44
|
0.43
|
0
|
Figure : Birdstrike rate for fixed-wing aircraft (per 10,000 movements) per year by operation type, 2004 to 2013
Share with your friends: |