This creates a complex management problem. Airport wildlife teams must understand which species are present, where they gather, when they are most active and what conditions encourage them to remain near the airfield.
How airports try to reduce the danger
Wildlife management is not based on one simple solution.
Airport teams may change grass management practices, improve drainage, remove food sources and reduce places where birds can gather. They may use trained personnel to monitor wildlife activity and disperse birds when necessary.
Some airports use sound-based deterrents, visual devices or other methods designed to discourage birds from remaining in high-risk areas. The most suitable method depends on local conditions and the species involved.
Wildlife management must also be conducted responsibly. The objective is to reduce the risk to aircraft while complying with environmental and wildlife-protection requirements.
The FAA describes integrated wildlife management as an important part of airport safety. Its guidance includes habitat management and methods to disperse or remove wildlife that creates a hazard.
Federal Aviation Administration+1
Why large birds can be particularly concerning
Not all bird strikes carry the same level of risk.
The size and mass of the bird matter. A larger bird can deliver a more substantial impact than a much smaller one, although the exact outcome depends on several factors.
Waterfowl and other flocking species can be especially challenging because they may travel in groups. A large number of birds in one area can increase the chance that an aircraft encounters more than one during a single passage.
The FAA's wildlife information notes that waterfowl account for a relatively small share of identified bird strikes but a larger share of strikes that cause aircraft damage. This illustrates why the number of birds alone does not tell the whole story: species, body mass and the location of the impact also matter.
Federal Aviation Administration+1
Why bird strikes can happen even when pilots are careful
It may seem reasonable to ask why pilots cannot simply avoid every flock they see.
In practice, avoiding birds is not always straightforward. Aircraft move quickly, and birds may change direction suddenly. A flock may be difficult to see against certain backgrounds or in particular lighting conditions. The crew may also have limited room to maneuver, especially when operating near an airport or following an assigned route.
Pilots must consider the aircraft's performance, altitude, speed, nearby traffic, terrain and other operational factors. An abrupt maneuver to avoid birds could create a different hazard.
This is why aviation safety depends on several layers of protection rather than relying entirely on a pilot's ability to dodge wildlife.
Airport teams monitor bird activity. Flight crews receive information about known hazards. Aircraft are designed and certified to meet applicable bird-impact requirements. Maintenance teams inspect aircraft after reported strikes. Safety organizations study incidents to identify patterns and improve procedures.
No single measure can eliminate every risk, but multiple layers can reduce the likelihood of a serious outcome.
Chapter 6: Real Bird-Strike Incidents Show Why Precaution Matters
The scenario involving Captain Jason Vance is not accompanied by enough identifying information to verify it as a specific real-world event. However, documented aviation incidents show that bird strikes can lead to precautionary returns and emergency landings.
One example occurred in the United States when American Airlines Flight 1722 struck a bird shortly after departing New York's LaGuardia Airport. The aircraft, an Airbus A321 bound for Charlotte, experienced an engine problem and the crew requested to land at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported. The incident demonstrated how a bird strike can disrupt a flight shortly after takeoff and why a crew may choose to divert rather than continue toward its original destination.
AP News
The FAA's records also contain examples of aircraft making precautionary landings after encounters with flocks. In one reported case, a business jet encountered approximately 30 cranes during climb. Several birds were struck, and the aircraft landed for inspection. In another case, a large flock of doves struck an aircraft during takeoff, damaging an engine and a wing.
faa.gov
These incidents demonstrate an important point: an aircraft does not have to be out of control for a landing to be necessary.
The lesson from the most famous bird-strike emergency
Many people remember the 2009 emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549, often called the "Miracle on the Hudson."
After departing New York's LaGuardia Airport, the Airbus A320 struck a flock of Canada geese. Both engines lost thrust, leaving the crew with an extremely difficult situation. Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles guided the aircraft to a controlled ditching on the Hudson River.
All 155 people aboard survived.
The incident became one of the best-known examples of how bird strikes can create a serious emergency. It also demonstrated the importance of crew training, cockpit coordination, aircraft handling and decisive action under pressure.
However, it is important not to assume that every bird strike will resemble that event. Most reported strikes do not lead to a total loss of engine power or an emergency water landing. Many result in minor damage or no reported damage at all.
The lesson is not that every encounter with birds is likely to end in disaster. It is that crews must take the possibility of serious damage seriously and respond according to the actual conditions.
Why pilots train for unexpected events
Pilots do not rely on experience alone. They train for abnormal and emergency situations so that their responses are structured rather than improvised.
Training may include engine failures, system malfunctions, unusual instrument indications, communication problems and other scenarios that require rapid assessment.
The precise procedures vary by aircraft type and operator. Pilots study the aircraft's manuals and checklists and practise working together under pressure.
A bird strike can happen with little warning. The crew may have only seconds to recognize the event and begin assessing its effects. Familiarity with procedures helps them focus on the most important tasks.
The ability to remain calm does not mean a pilot feels no pressure. It means that training provides a framework for making decisions even when the situation is unexpected.
Chapter 7: What Happens After the Aircraft Reaches the Runway?
For passengers, the moment the aircraft touches down may feel like the end of the emergency.
For the flight crew and ground teams, it is often the beginning of another important stage.
Once the aircraft is safely on the ground, the pilots may need to coordinate with airport personnel and maintenance teams. Depending on the circumstances, emergency vehicles may be positioned nearby. The aircraft may taxi to a designated location or stop where it can be inspected safely.
Passengers may notice airport vehicles approaching the aircraft. This can look alarming, but it does not automatically mean that there is a fire or that the aircraft is in immediate danger. Emergency services may be present as a precaution when a flight has reported an abnormal event.
The first inspection
Maintenance personnel may begin by checking the areas most likely to have been affected.
They can look for visible signs of impact on the nose, windshield, wings, engine inlets and other exterior surfaces. They may also review reports from the pilots and examine any abnormal indications recorded during the flight.
If the crew reported engine vibration, unusual noise or a change in performance, the inspection may focus on the relevant engine and associated systems.
Bird remains or other evidence may sometimes help investigators identify the species involved. This can be useful because bird size and species can contribute to understanding the nature of the strike.
However, not every strike leaves recoverable remains. Some impacts may be difficult to confirm visually, and an aircraft may require further checks even when no obvious damage is visible from the ground.
Why the aircraft may be taken out of service
An aircraft cannot simply be declared safe because it landed successfully.
The fact that it remained controllable during the flight does not prove that every component is undamaged. A hidden problem may only become apparent during a detailed inspection.