A collision between a bird and an aeroplane is called a birdstrike. Some people use the term bird strike but it means the same thing. Most birdstrikes, more than 90%, occur in the first 1000' above the ground. In Australia about 10% of birdstrikes cause damage to the aeroplane involved. Of the 10% only about 5% - 10% cause serious damage.
All parts of an aeroplane are subject to damage by birdstrike - engines, windscreens, fuselage skins, undercarriage, wings, empennage.
On rare occasions birdstrikes have caused airliners to crash. Other than crashes, birdstrikes are a very expensive problem for airlines and aerodrome owners and operators.
The highest birdstike ever recorded occurred in Africa at 37,000', however since it occured near a thnderstorm it is probable that the bird involved was already dead and had been carried to the altitude by the storm. The highest recorded birdstrike in Australia occurred at 14,000' near Brisbane. It probably involved a Dollar Bird. The only actual evidence of a birdstrike on the aeroplane, a Fokker F27, was a blood stain. The assumption that the bird was probably a Dollar Bird was based on the altitude, the time of year, the size of the bloodstain and the fact that only a single bird was reported by the aircrew.
We invite anyone with an interest in aviation to contribute their comments to this blog. We are especially interested in comments from pilots and passengers who have experienced a birdstrike and aircraft engineers who have seen the results of serious birdstrikes.
