'Great unknown' bird strikes pose threat for flights

Scientists urge greater recording of and research into bird strikes among aviation authorities

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Tuesday, 09, Jun 2009 09:18

Scientists who identified the birds involved in the Hudson river crash were migratory geese have urged improved recording of bird strikes.

New research has shown that US Airways flight 1549 struck Canadian geese prior to losing thrust in both engines and ditching in the Hudson six minutes after departing from LaGuardia airport.

Pilot Chesley Sullenberger successfully glided the Airbus A320-214 into the river without any loss of life among the 155 people on board.

But American scientists have warned of more bird strikes in the future unless such incidents are beter recorded.

After examining forensic data from feather remains ecologists, published their findings in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, determined the birds were geese from the Labrador region of Canada.

"Knowing that the birds were migratory is crucial to developing management strategies," explained study author Peter Marra of the Smithsonian National Zoo's migratory bird centre.

Carla Dova, co-author, added: "It's important to not only know what species of birds are involved in collisions, but to also understand the role that migration plays in the larger picture.

"The more information we are able to gather in cases like this, the more we will be able to reduce the risks of bird strikes in the future."

In 2007 there were 7,400 reported bird strikes involving flights over America, while since 1988 they have caused 229 deaths and $1.1 billion in damage.

"Reporting and recording the frequency and timing of collisions is critical," said Prof Marra

"Otherwise we are missing valuable information that could reveal patterns of frequency, location and species involved – all information that is essential to reducing the frequency of bird strikes."