When planes, wildlife collide, animals and humans are killed

The FAA published some of the significant strikes that occurred between January 1990 and March 2022, and three incidents at San Antonio International Airport were serious enough to be included.

In February 2001, for example, a black vulture shattered the right windshield as a plane approached the airport. Two passengers left with minor injuries. The pilot was unable to speak to the tower because the bird strike rendered the radios inoperative. The plane, however, landed without incident, despite being out of service for almost six months, and the cost of repairs and hospital bills came to $20,400.

In the United States, affected animals are recorded in the National Wildlife Strike Database – maintained by the FAA and the US Department of Agriculture – so that engine and aircraft manufacturers can design parts aircraft capable of withstanding impacts better. Airports also use the data to find and remove habitats that attract wildlife.

“The safety of the flying public is our No. 1 priority,” FAA National Wildlife Biologist John Weller said in a recent video on the Wildlife Strike Database.

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Ninety-seven percent of strikes in the database are from birds. Terrestrial mammals account for less than 2% of the impacts, while bats and reptiles fill in the rest. Mammal strikes are not as frequent, but they tend to be more damaging. Deer strikes are more common at general aviation airports than at commercial airports due to a lack of proper fencing.

Reporting strikes is voluntary, so the database, which dates back to 1990, represents only what airlines, airports, pilots and other sources choose to submit. There are over 250,000 recorded strikes in the database, with information associated with each occurrence, including aircraft type and animal species, time of day and location of the strike. impact.

Strike reports continue to rise, but according to this year’s Strike Database report, damaging strikes have fallen from 762 in 2000 to 657 in 2021.

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And the FAA is looking to step up its efforts to reduce wildlife risk. Along with the USDA and Mississippi State University, the FAA recently began researching how airports and wildlife biologists could use drones to monitor and possibly disperse wildlife.

Although the database is mostly populated by various types of birds, many of which are recorded as unknown species, here are some of the less common animals sometimes caught in the path of an aircraft.

San Antonio

For San Antonio International Airport, an unknown bird on May 3, 1990 became the first entry in the database. It has logged over 1,580 entries since.

Keeping critters away from local airports is done a little differently in San Antonio. There is a wildlife biologist whose job it is to keep animals and wildlife away from airports in San Antonio. Marcus Machemehl is one of four wildlife biologists in the country employed at an airport, as most airports use contractors to remove animals.

Some rarities:

• black-tailed hare
• striped skunk
• Bats — multiple species
• Virginia Opossum
• Coyote

Austin

For Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the February 22, 1990 Falcons became the first entry in the database. He has recorded more than 2,540 since.

Some rarities:

• striped skunk
• Bats — several species,
• Raccoon
• domestic dog
• Coyote

dallas

For Dallas Love Field, an unknown small bird in April 1990 became the first entry in the database. Southwest Airlines hit the animal. He has recorded more than 1,760 since.

Some rarities:

• turtles
• Rabbits
• striped skunk
• Bats — multiple species
• Virginia Opossum
• domestic cat
• Foxes

For Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, a brown-headed cowbird in May 1990 became the first entry in the database. He has recorded more than 7,370 since. In 2014, DFW won an FAA award for excellence in strike reporting.

Some rarities:

• Bats — multiple species
• Coyote
• turtles
• striped skunk
• domestic dog
• Raccoon
• Foxes

Houston

For William P. Hobby Airport, an unknown small bird in May 1990 became the first entry. He has recorded more than 1,670 since.

Some rarities:

• Bats — multiple species
• Coyote
• black-tailed hare
• Virginia Opossum
• domestic cat
• domestic dog

For George Bush Intercontinental Airport, an unknown little bird in July 1990 became the first entry. It has recorded over 2,150 entries since.

Some rarities:

• Bats – several species
• Snakes
• Virginia Opossum
• Coyote
• striped skunk
• Nine-banded armadillo
• Raccoon