Wed, Apr 08, 2009
Cites Data From FAA Database Showing 62 Percent Increase
Aero-News reported last months on findings by the
Associated Press,
that the FAA applied on March 24 for permission to lock
down its database of bird strike reports. The agency
expressed the concern release of the data would cast a negative
light on the images of certain airports, and the airline industry
in general.
Now, USA Today has apparently found a copy that got out before
the January 15 ditching of US Airways Flight 1549 made the issue a
hot topic. The paper reports FAA data shows collisions between
airliners and large birds have risen dramatically since the agency
started keeping track in 1990.
Strikes by birds large enough to cripple an airliner averaged
323 per year through the 1990s. Between 2000 and 2007, the average
was 524. That's a 62 percent increase.
"In most cases it's going to be these large birds that are going
to cause a catastrophe or a significant strike event," said Richard
Dolbeer, the retired Department of Agriculture wildlife biologist
who created the FAA strike database.
Alas, any data is of limited use in reaching statistically valid
conclusions, because -- despite pressure from the National
Transportation Safety Board -- reporting strikes is not mandatory.
The FAA estimates only 20 percent of strikes are reported.
Furthermore, only a relatively small percentage of even reported
strikes are severe. "Significant strikes are still a very small
part of the total bird strike numbers," said FAA spokeswoman Laura
Brown.
More News
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Aero Linx: International Association of Professional Gyroplane Training (IAPGT) We are an Association of people who fly, build or regulate Gyroplanes, who have a dream of a single >[...]
NORDO (No Radio) Aircraft that cannot or do not communicate by radio when radio communication is required are referred to as “NORDO.”>[...]
Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) The operation of a UAS beyond the visual capability of the flight crew members (i.e., remote pilot in command [RPIC], the person manipulating th>[...]
Aero Linx: Malibu M-Class Owners and Pilots Association (MMOPA) The Piper M-Class Owners & Pilots Association (PMOPA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the interest>[...]