PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 10397 posts, RR: 66 Posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2106 times:
Some time ago I watched a program on migratory birds, particularly geese, which explained that some species fly at heights of up to 30,000 feet, if not even higher when crossing mountain ranges like the Himalayas. Thinking back the other day to this episode, I wondered if there had ever been a bird strike on an aircraft whilst it was at cruising altitude? I'm presuming this would this be a very serious event considering that the plane is probably doing 500+ mph and that a goose is a sizable piece of meat to hit at any speed, but could a windshield withstand such an impact, or would it completely shatter?
Doing a search on the web revealed an incident where a pilot had visual contact with a flock of geese over the Atlantic at 29,000ft after Irish radar had picked them up - so I suppose this is one way of avoiding such accidents, but does it happen often, and can flocks of birds always be seen on radar? I also found reference to a couple of incidents at 37,000ft and 21,000ft where birds were sucked into aircraft engines, but did not hit the fuselage.
If anyone had answers, perhaps pilots who have experience of seeing birds at high altitude, or ATC workers who have seen them on radar, then I would be very interested to hear them. Thanks in advance,
TupolevTu154 From UK - England, joined Aug 2004, 1990 posts, RR: 36 Reply 1, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2095 times:
PlymSpotter From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 10397 posts, RR: 66 Reply 2, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2093 times:
Quoting TupolevTu154 (Reply 1): I remember hearing a story long ago about a lone vulture getting ingested into an engine at that height. Perhaps it's the same instance.
Yeap, that's the one - must have had a great view of the world from up there in it's final moments! I think it was over the Ivory Coast, or somewhere in Africa.
Miamiair From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 1954 times:
In the late 80's I remember an Ecuatoriana 707 freighter taking a bird strike on the Miami leg of UIO-GYE-MIA. Talking to the crew, they were climbing over FL 250 when they took the hit on #3. Wiped out the nose cowl completely and more than half of the N1 blades. They shut it down and continued to MIA on three engines.
Starlionblue From Greenland, joined Feb 2004, 15102 posts, RR: 69 Reply 4, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 1944 times:
SlamClick had a story about a bird who didn't know when to give way at cruise altitude. Apparently it smacked into the windshield and a sound very similar to a gunshot was heard all the way to the back of the aircraft.
I imagine this must have been a bit of a brown trouser moment.
Tact Is For People Who Aren't Witty Enough To Be Sarcastic
Soon7x7 From United States of America, joined May 2006, 2527 posts, RR: 16 Reply 6, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 1828 times:
Lowrider From United States of America, joined Jun 2004, 3220 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 1781 times:
Quoting Soon7x7 (Reply 6): Is that one of Kalittas new engine swaps?
Actually, I think that was an Evergreen crew. They hit what used to be a large bird. According to the story, it was a little more dramatic than a normal V1 cut.
Dw747400 From United States of America, joined Aug 2001, 1238 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (4 years 2 months 3 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 1773 times:
I believe several records for the highest flying birds are based on remains found in engines and on the airframe.
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From Spain, joined Jun 2004, 10397 posts, 
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