Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft in the United States

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).

Author: U. S. Department of Transportation

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication Date: Dec 15, 2013

Number of Pages: 74 pages

Binding: Paperback or Softback

ISBN-10: 1494425769

ISBN-13: 9781494425760