All articles tagged with #bird strike
A US military F-16 crashed during a National Guard training exercise at Alpena, Michigan. The sole pilot ejected and is in stable condition at a local hospital as a fireball and large smoke plume were seen in a field near Traverse City. Everyone within about a one-mile radius was evacuated due to a hazardous chemical spill related to the crash. The cause is under investigation, with a bird strike suspected as a possible factor.
US NTSB preliminary findings indicate a fatigued engine fan blade fractured on a Ryanair Malta Air 737-800, sending debris into the cabin, shattering a window at row 11 and prompting depressurization as the aircraft climbed to 16,000 feet; a 61-year-old passenger in seat 11F was partially pulled through the opening but was pulled back by others; bird remains were found in several engine parts, and maintenance records show four suspected bird strikes in the prior year, though the root cause is not yet determined; the engine blades had ultrasonic inspections in late 2025 and mid-2026 with no damage detected; investigators say the probe is ongoing.
An American Airlines Boeing 737 carrying 172 passengers and 9 crew returning from Myrtle Beach to Charlotte, NC, made an emergency landing in Myrtle Beach after flames were seen shooting from the left-wing engine following a reported bird strike shortly after takeoff over the water. The crew declared Mayday; there were no injuries, the plane landed safely and was withdrawn from service for inspection, and passengers were rebooked on a replacement aircraft. Initial reports suggested the flames may have been caused by burning bird remnants, with no fire inside the engine.
An American Airlines Boeing 737 hit birds on takeoff from Myrtle Beach, causing flames to erupt from the engine and prompting an emergency return. The plane landed safely back at Myrtle Beach with 181 passengers and crew; it has been taken out of service for inspection, and the FAA will investigate. Bird debris was found on the runway, and remains (snarge) may be analyzed by the Smithsonian to aid future prevention.
An American Airlines flight from Myrtle Beach to Charlotte turned around and landed back at Myrtle Beach International Airport 36 minutes after takeoff following a reported bird strike; the 172 passengers were safe, there was no engine fire, and the aircraft will be inspected. FAA data note wildlife strikes were nearly 20,000 nationwide in 2023.
An NTSB briefing says geese remains on the wreckage and witness reports indicate the helicopter struck multiple birds before the April 10, 2025 Hudson River crash that killed six, including Brant and Canada geese and a gull; the findings heighten safety concerns and fuel talks of restrictions on sightseeing helicopter flights.
A New York Times investigation reconstructs the December 2024 crash-landing of Jeju Air Flight 2216 after a birds strike damaged both engines; pilots, caught in the startle reflex, rushed to act rather than methodically assess, potentially misidentifying which engine to shut down, causing a total electrical failure and limited control during a final go-around and belly landing that killed 179 of 181 aboard. The tragedy is linked to regulatory gaps in bird-strike prevention at Muan Airport and data gaps from failed black boxes, prompting questions about crisis training and airport bird deterrence.
During the Gijón Air Festival in Spain, a flock of birds nearly caused a Spanish F-18 fighter jet to crash on a crowded beach, prompting an evasive maneuver by the pilot. The incident was captured on video and was part of standard safety protocols. The event drew over 300,000 spectators, marking the largest airshow in its history, amid recent similar wildlife-related incidents involving aircraft in Spain.
A South Korean plane crash involving Jeju Air Flight 2216 was caused by a bird strike, leading pilots to shut off the wrong engine, with investigations and union claims raising concerns about blame and overlooked airport safety issues, including bird hazards and airport design.
An American Airlines flight from LaGuardia to Charlotte was forced to make an emergency landing at JFK Airport after a bird strike caused an engine fire on the Airbus A321. The plane, carrying 190 passengers and six crew members, landed safely with no injuries reported. The incident is reminiscent of the 2009 "Miracle on the Hudson" where a US Airways flight made a successful emergency landing on the Hudson River following a bird strike. American Airlines has apologized and is inspecting the aircraft for damage.
An American Airlines flight from LaGuardia to Charlotte was diverted to JFK Airport after a bird strike damaged one of its engines. The Airbus A321, carrying 190 passengers and six crew members, landed safely using its second engine. No injuries were reported, and passengers were scheduled to continue their journey the following morning. American Airlines expressed gratitude to the crew and apologized for the inconvenience.
An American Airlines flight from LaGuardia to Charlotte made an emergency landing at JFK Airport after a bird struck one of its engines shortly after takeoff. All 190 passengers and six crew members were unharmed, and the airline provided accommodations and rescheduled the flight for the next day.
A Hainan Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff from Rome Fiumicino Airport, causing flames to spew from one of its engines. The plane, carrying 249 passengers and 16 crew members, safely returned to the airport after dumping fuel and circling off the coast of Italy. The airline apologized for the incident, emphasizing the crew's adherence to safety procedures.
A Hainan Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner bound for Shenzhen, China, returned safely to Rome's Fiumicino Airport after hitting a bird shortly after takeoff, causing an engine fire. The plane, carrying 249 passengers and 16 crew members, dumped fuel over the sea before landing. The incident, which is under investigation, did not cause delays at the airport.
A jet from the Italian Air Force's aerobatics squadron crashed during a practice run near Turin, killing a 5-year-old child and leaving her 9-year-old brother with severe burns. The pilot survived and is being treated for burns. The crash occurred shortly after takeoff, and the Italian Air Force has hypothesized that a bird strike may have caused the accident. The incident happened inside the airport perimeter, temporarily closing the airport.