United States – Collisions between aircraft and wildlife continue to challenge aviation safety professionals decades after the issue first gained attention.
A Growing Threat Takes Flight
A Growing Threat Takes Flight (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Wildlife strikes with civil aircraft emerged as a concern soon after powered flight began in 1903. Reports remained sporadic until the jet age accelerated encounters in the 1960s. Turbine engines proved particularly vulnerable to bird ingestion, leading to a sharp rise in incidents.
The Federal Aviation Administration documented a dramatic increase over time. From 1990 to 2024, strikes escalated, with 14,496 reports in 2017 alone marking a peak. Globally, these events claimed over 464 lives and destroyed more than 305 planes between 1988 and 2022. In the U.S., birds accounted for 97 percent of the 142,675 strikes reported from 1990 to 2013.
Annual damage estimates exceeded $230 million by 2017, underscoring the economic toll alongside safety risks. Experts attributed the surge to expanding air traffic, larger bird populations, and airport designs that inadvertently attracted wildlife.
Richard Dolbeer’s Decades-Long Campaign
Richard Dolbeer emerged as a leading figure in wildlife hazard management during the 1980s. He served as a science adviser for USDA Wildlife Services, focusing on aviation and agriculture conflicts. For 20 years, Dolbeer advanced research, policy, and mitigation strategies to curb strikes.
Early in his career, he contributed to the Bye-Bye Blackbird Committee, addressing blackbird damage to crops before shifting emphasis to airports. Dolbeer authored key FAA reports, including analyses of strike trends from 1990 onward. Now 80 years old with 50 years of membership in The Wildlife Society, he remains active in the field despite retiring in 2008.
His influence endures through the Sandy Wright/Richard Dolbeer Excellence in Strike Reporting Award, which recognizes top contributions to FAA data collection. Dolbeer also detailed his experiences in the memoir Life on the Wild Side.
Iconic Incidents and Forensic Insights
The 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson” incident spotlighted the dangers when US Airways Flight 1549 struck Canada geese shortly after takeoff. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger safely ditched the plane in the Hudson River, but the event highlighted persistent vulnerabilities.
Dolbeer analyzed “snarge” – the smeared remains of birds on engines – from the wreckage, confirming Canada geese as the culprits. He had long identified them as aviation’s most hazardous species. Such forensic work improved strike identification and prevention tactics.
Mitigation Strategies Evolve
Airports adopted science-based approaches under Dolbeer’s guidance, including habitat modifications and deterrence tools. Efforts focused on making runways unappealing to birds through grass management and water control.
- Habitat alteration to reduce attractants like standing water and food sources.
- Wildlife monitoring and removal programs at high-risk sites.
- Advanced radar and acoustic deterrents for early detection.
- Engine design improvements to withstand impacts.
- Enhanced pilot training and reporting protocols.
These measures lowered some risks, though strikes at higher altitudes above 500 feet rose from 37 percent in the early 1990s to 45 percent by 2009. The FAA’s National Wildlife Strike Database became a vital tool for ongoing analysis.
Key Takeaways
- Wildlife strikes have tripled since 1990, driven by air travel growth and bird populations.
- Richard Dolbeer’s work shaped FAA policies and reporting standards.
- Canada geese top the list of hazardous species, as seen in major incidents.
Dolbeer’s career illustrates how dedicated research transforms aviation hazards into manageable risks. Recent podcasts, such as The Wildlife Society’s “Our Wild Lives”, revisit his contributions amid continued vigilance. What steps do you believe airports should prioritize next? Share your thoughts in the comments.
