Bird strikes are an ever-present danger to aircraft. When birds collide with planes, they can cause serious damage to engines, wings, and other components. This leads many to wonder: can planes continue flying after suffering a bird strike? The short answer is: it depends. Most commercial jets are designed to withstand bird strikes to some degree. However, the severity of the damage and the plane’s airspeed, altitude, and other factors all play a role in determining if a plane can continue flying after hitting birds.
What happens when birds strike planes?
During takeoff and landing, planes are especially vulnerable to bird strikes since these phases involve low speeds at low altitudes. Birds get sucked into jet engines and strike propellers, wings, and other parts of the aircraft. The kinetic energy released from collisions at high speeds can dent and puncture metal components. Engine ingestion is one of the most dangerous types of bird strike. Large birds like geese can get sucked into turbofan engines, damaging fan blades and in some cases causing engine failure. Birds that strike the nose cone or cockpit can impede pilots’ vision. If enough birds impact the wings, control surfaces and lift can be disrupted. While windshields are designed to withstand most bird strikes, a large flock could still crack or penetrate the windscreen.
Likelihood of surviving a bird strike
According to statistics from the Federal Aviation Administration, only 9% of reported wildlife strikes in the USA cause damage to the aircraft. This suggests most planes continue flying normally after suffering minor bird strikes. However, the FAA estimates that birds account for over 97% of all reported wildlife collisions. The number of US civil aircraft destroyed by birds from 1990 to 2016 was just under 30. While the odds of survival are generally good, serious accidents can and still do occur.
Much depends on the size and numbers of birds involved. Small birds like sparrows likely won’t take down an airliner. But larger birds like geese and raptors pose a greater hazard. Engine ingestion of multiple large birds could critically damage powerplants. Impacts to the nose or cockpit by sizeable birds may injure pilots and/or compromise control systems. Altitude and airspeed also factor in. Planes have less room to recover from strikes at low altitudes and speeds.
Airframe protection features
Aircraft engineers take bird strikes into account when designing airframes. Special materials and structures provide redundancy to better withstand impacts. Here are some common bird strike protections:
- Tough windshields – Cockpit windows incorporate multiple panes and layers for redundancy.
- Reinforced engines – Fan blades, housings, and other parts resist blunt force.
- Dual hydraulics – Backup hydraulic systems can operate flight controls if one system fails.
- Extra fuel tanks – If the main tanks leak after a strike, extra fuel reserves allow pilots to land.
- Wing spars – These strengthen wings against bird penetrations and help maintain lift.
Real-world examples of planes surviving bird strikes
While media coverage often focuses on catastrophic bird strike events, the majority of collisions result in survivable damage. Some examples of airliners continuing their flights after substantial bird impacts include:
British Airways Flight 38
In 1995, this Concorde supersonic airliner struck multiple Canada geese shortly after takeoff from JFK Airport. Several engines surged and lost power. The crew was able to restart one engine and land safely back at JFK without injuries.
US Airways Flight 1549
This Airbus A320 famously ditched into the Hudson River after losing thrust in both engines following a multiple goose strike after takeoff in 2009. The experienced pilots demonstrated excellent airmanship by ditching the powerless jet on the water without loss of life.
Delta Air Lines Flight 1063
After hitting a flock of around 50 snow geese on climb out from LaGuardia Airport in 1995, this Boeing 727 lost some engine power but was able to circle around and land safely. None of the 89 passengers were hurt.
Ryanair Flight 4102
In 2012, this Boeing 737 collided with seagulls during its takeoff roll in Rome, destroying one engine. The crew continued the takeoff on one engine and diverted to an airport 60 miles away. Emergency crews found bird remains clogging the damaged engine.
EasyJet Flight 696
An Airbus A320 carrying 169 passengers suffered a bird strike to one engine on departure from Bristol Airport in 2010. Vibrations caused the engine cowling to rupture open. The flight returned to Bristol for an overweight landing on one engine with no injuries.
Factors that determine if a plane can continue flying after bird ingestion
When birds get sucked into jet engines, whether the plane can maintain flight depends on these key factors:
Number of Engines
Multi-engine planes like the Boeing 747 have redundancy if they lose one or even two engines. Single-engine planes lack backup power and are at much greater risk.
Damage Severity
The number, size, and impact energy of ingested birds all contribute to damage. Jets can often withstand strikes from small flocking birds. But dense, large-bodied birds like geese may destroy multiple engines.
Restart Capability
Modern jet engines are designed to survive bird ingestion. But severe damage can prevent in-flight restarts. Backup power is critical if damaged engines can’t be relit.
Altitude and Speed
More options exist for planes struck at higher altitudes with ample airspeed. Slow, low planes must land immediately in an emergency.
Distance to Airport
Nearby diversion airports give crews more opportunity to land damaged aircraft. Strikes far from suitable runways reduce survivability.
Pilot Training
Extensive training prepares airline pilots to handle engine failures, overweight landings, and other abnormal situations caused by bird strikes. Their skill can prove decisive.
How airlines help planes survive bird strikes
Besides advanced aircraft design, commercial airlines also employ these strategies to avoid catastrophic bird strike damage:
Airport Wildlife Management
Methods like trapping, spotters, habitat modification, and training flights help discourage birds from occupying airports. This reduces the presence of birds during takeoffs and landings.
Flight Scheduling
By avoiding peak bird activity times around dawn and dusk, airlines minimize exposure during dangerous phases of flight. Scheduling tools factor in migration patterns.
Pilot Briefings
Foreknowledge of bird strike risks allows flight crews to exercise extra vigilance and preparedness. Briefings outline strike reporting procedures too.
Engine Data Analysis
Digital engine performance data helps airlines detect bird ingestion events. Post-flight engine inspections can then identify any hidden damage.
Bird Strike Training
Aircrews regularly rehearsebird strike emergency procedures in realistic simulators. This develops the vital skills needed to react appropriately.
Conclusion
Aircraft design precautions, airline mitigation strategies, and flight crew training combine to maximize the chances of surviving bird strikes. While the potential exists for catastrophic accidents, pilots routinely demonstrate remarkable skill in landing bird-damaged planes safely. Bird ingestion does not automatically spell doom for an airliner. Rather than sensationalizing isolated tragedies, we should view the vast majority of bird strikes that cause minimal disruption as evidence of how truly reliable modern commercial aviation has become.