Avian Menace

Apart from the serious threat to air safety, bird strikes cost the aviation industry millions of dollars in loss of revenue.

In april 2004, a heron ingested in the starboard engine of an Airbus A319 as it took off from Portland International Airport and soared 800 feet above ground level (AGL), forcing the pilot to shut down the damaged engine and manoeuvre the aircraft for an emergency landing. There were no casualties, but for three days the aircraft had to be grounded for repairs. The cost of damage: over $400,000 (Rs 1.7 crore).

In August the same year, a bird got caught in the No. 2 engine of a Boeing B-747-400 during take-off run at the Bangkok International Airport. Apprehending damage to the engine, the pilot aborted takeoff. However, in the attempt to bring to a halt the fully laden airliner in the remaining length of the runway, the brakes suffered overheating and caught fire even as the landing gear suffered extensive damage. Four passengers suffered injuries and the aircraft was grounded for four days at a cost of $100,000 (Rs 43 lakh). In April 2005, a flock of blue-winged teal struck the windshield of a Bell 407 helicopter in level flight at 300 m. The windshield shattered on impact and the pilot was temporarily blinded by the splattering of flesh and blood on his face. Fortunately, he controlled the situation and carried out an emergency landing. A new windscreen came for $1,500 (Rs 64,400).

Danger posed to aircraft by bird strikes is as old as flying itself. Though the first case of bird hit is not documented, the first serious accident on this account occurred in 1912 when a seagull was entangled in the control cables of an aeroplane, resulting in a fatal crash. Since then, aircraft have been built larger and faster with higher range and endurance to carry huge loads of passengers. In 1960, a Lockheed Electra aircraft in the vicinity of Boston was hit by a European Starling weighing less than 100 gm. In the aftermath of the bird hit, all 62 passengers onboard were killed in a crash. This was the worst disaster due to bird strike in the history of aviation.