Proposed Advisory Circular To Make Improvements to Wildlife Strike Reporting System

Wildlife Strike AC: It’s a Jungle Out There

Over a 30-year period, there were more than 255,000 reports of animals and aircraft colliding.

Citation jet bird strike through flock of birds — (Photo: Barry Ambrose)

By Gordon Gilbert • Contributor - Accidents and Regulations

May 23, 2023

Between 1990 and 2021 there were more than 255,000 reports of animals and aircraft colliding submitted to the FAA’s National Wildlife Strike Database (NWSD), according to proposed Advisory Circular 150/5200-32C, “Reporting Wildlife Strikes.” Over that 30-year period, 32,742 reports—12.8 percent of the total—indicated the collision caused aircraft damage and/or adverse effect to the aircraft in flight.

Ducks, geese, gulls, hawks, and vultures continue to cause the most damage to civil aircraft in the U.S., while European starlings are responsible for the greatest loss of human life. About 97 percent of all wildlife strikes reported to the FAA involved birds, while 2 percent involved terrestrial mammals and less than 1 percent involved bats or reptiles. But deer and coyotes remain responsible for the most damaging aircraft strikes.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.