Bird-strike aircraft accidents and their prevention

Introduction: Not less than 210 people have been killed worldwide due to bird-strikes with aircraft, since 1988. Bird-strikes to aircraft result in some $610 million in damage a year. Five jet-airliners have had major accidents involving bird-strikes since 1975. Experts estimate that only about 20 percent of all bird strikes are reported. In recent years, bird-strikes have been reported involving Malaysian aviation. Method: Literature in the form of journal-articles, international-committee reports and news-media articles were reviewed with the aim of providing solutions to the problem, besides outlining salient recommendations. Results: Birds-strikes in relation to times of year, type of aircraft, phase of flight, altitude, speed, part of aircraft struck, bird-species responsible, climate conditions, bird-weight, are described. Besides the Luftwaffe method, various equipment and techniques in such prevention are described, including habitat-modification, exclusion including removal, pyrotechnics, trapping, and newer novel-methods. Recommendations are made where appropriate. Conclusion: Bird-strike aircraft-accidents cost too much morbidity, mortality and financial cost in aviation. Methods that here today solve are identified.