IS IT a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a bird into a plane, and it’s dangerous.
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A report released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has revealed 23 birds danced with death, and lost, during 2010/11 – colliding with planes travelling the Tamworth/ Sydney route.
In 2010 and 2011, the most common types of birds struck by aircraft were bats/flying foxes, galahs, kites and lapwings/plovers.
Galahs were more commonly involved in strikes of multiple birds.
Not surprisingly, larger birds were more likely to result in damage to an aircraft.
Strikes at Tamworth are nowhere near as high as at other regional aerodromes.
Since the report was first introduced in 2002, 145 bird strikes have been recorded in the confines of the Tamworth aerodrome, another eight within five to 15 kilometres of the aerodrome, and six 15km or more away from the aerodrome.
Bird-strike rates at three of the 12 airports comparable to Tamworth’s have much higher rates.
In the decade from 2002, Townsville recorded 392 strikes; Rockhampton 332; Mackay 182 and Alice Springs 195.
Other airports that reported more than 50 bird strikes over the two-year period were Townsville, Alice Springs, Rockhampton and Parafield.
Wagga Wagga, Mackay and Mount Isa recorded higher numbers – between 30 and 50 strikes over the two-year period.
The ATSB said the Australian aviation wildlife strike statistics: Bird and animal strikes 2002 to 2011 provided a reminder to everyone involved in the operation of aircraft and aerodromes to be aware of the hazards posed to aircraft by birds and non-flying animals.
The report said, “While it is uncommon for a bird-strike to cause any harm to aircraft crew and passengers, many result in damage to aircraft, and some have resulted in serious consequential events, such as forced landings and high- speed rejected takeoffs.”
The report found in 2011 there were 1751 bird strikes reported to the ATSB.
Most bird strikes involved high-capacity transport aircraft, planes including Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.
Strikes are most likely to happen for planes in take-off and landing, but helicopters tend to be involved when they are parked on the ground.
The report said strikes were most common between 7.30am and 10.30am and between 6pm and 8pm – especially for bats.
Collisions with other animals were rare but not unheard of.
The most common animals involved were hares, rabbits, kangaroos, wallabies, dogs and foxes.