Bird and other wildlife strikes are a serious and growing 

problem worldwide. Whether at a military or civil airport or enroute, 

wildlife hazards pose a constant threat to aviation safety. Understanding 

the source and volume of wildlife strikes is fundamental to managing the 

problem. But many strikes go unreported, making it difficult to determine 

the true scope and nature of the situation. Strike reporting is essential. 

The information provides wildlife experts the data they need to create 

more targeted, effective prevention and management plans for airports. 

Defining the problem means finding solutions.

Report all strikes to help manage these hazards.

Here are four examples of wildlife strikes that occurred in the 

United States. Information from these events can aid the 

aviation industry in its ongoing management and prevention efforts.

 

For More Information

For help identifying wildlife species involved in a strike or to obtain technical advice, direct assistance, or research on wildlife strikes, 

contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Services program at 1-866-4USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297). 

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Program Aid No. 2095

Issued September 2011 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider 

and employer. 

To report a wildlife strike to civil aircraft, 

use the Federal Aviation Administration 

(FAA) Wildlife Strike Database: 

http://wildlife.faa.gov/

To report a wildlife strike to U.S. Air Force aircraft, 

use the Air Force Safety Automated System (AFSAS):

https://afsas-training.kirtland.af.mil/

Wildlife Species: Elk

Date: December 2002

Aircraft: Learjet 36

Airport: Astoria Regional (Oregon)

Phase of Flight: Takeoff 

Effect on Flight: Aborted takeoff, 

ran off runway

Damage: Aircraft destroyed

Wildlife Species: Mallard

Date: April 2011

Aircraft: Boeing 757 

Airport: Chicago O’Hare 

International Airport

Phase of Flight: Approach

Effect on Flight: Precautionary landing

Damage: Radome

Wildlife Species: Snow Goose

Date: November 2010

Aircraft: EMB-175

Airport: Minneapolis-St. Paul International (MSP)

Phase of Flight: Climb

Effect on Flight: Precautionary landing

Damage: Radome, engine, fuselage

Wildlife Species: Black Vulture

Date: August 2010

Aircraft: F-15E Jet

Phase of Flight: Air-to-ground

Effect on Flight: In-flight emergency

Damage: Radome, engine, 

fuselage

Comments From Report: A Learjet was destroyed after collision with 

multiple elk and subsequent runway overrun. Impact forces and 

post-crash fire destroyed the airplane. Crew believed a piece of 

the animal was ingested into the left engine, causing it to catch fire. 

Cost of damage was $5 million. 

Comments From Report: The pilot reported seeing three birds 

and struck two of them—the first hit the aircraft’s nose cone 

(radome), denting it in over 12 inches. The second bird hit 

the rear left landing gear, causing no damage. The species 

was positively identified as mallard by the Smithsonian 

Institution’s Division of Birds.

Comments From Report: During 

the climb at about 10 miles from 

airport, the aircraft collided with 

snow geese, damaging one engine, 

the fuselage, and the radome. 

The flight returned to MSP for a 

safe landing. The species was 

positively identified as snow goose 

by the Smithsonian Institution’s 

Division of Birds. 

Comments From Report: The aircraft’s jet 

engine ingested a black vulture at 520 feet 

near Poinsett Range in South Carolina. The 

engine blades came out of the top of the 

aircraft and engine, resulting in an engine 

fire and over $10 million in damage. 

To report a wildlife strike to Navy aircraft, 

use the Web Enabled Safety System (WESS): 

https://wess.safetycenter.navy.mil/wess/index.html

Report Wildlife Aircraft Strikes

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Anser_careulescens_CT8.jpg

U.S. Air Force

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Airside Operations

USDA/APHIS