NTSB · Safety Recommendation
Safety Recommendation A-10-087
Recommendation
TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE: Develop and implement, in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration, innovative technologies that can be installed on aircraft that would reduce the likelihood of a bird strike.
Safety Issue and Context
On January 15, 2009, about 1527 eastern standard time, US Airways flight 1549, an Airbus Industrie A320-214, N106US, experienced an almost total loss of thrust in both engines after encountering a flock of birds and was subsequently ditched on the Hudson River about 8.5 miles from LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York City, New York. The flight was en route to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina, and had departed LGA about 2 minutes before the in-flight event occurred. The 150 passengers, including a lap-held child, and 5 crewmembers evacuated the airplane via the forward and overwing exits.
One flight attendant and four passengers received serious injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The scheduled, domestic passenger flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 on an instrument flight rules flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Response History
October 28, 2015 · NTSB Correspondence · United States Department of Agriculture
We were encouraged to learn about the interesting research program you are conducting at your National Wildlife Research Center to develop an aircraft lighting system to enhance birds’ detection, and avoidance, of aircraft. We noted that this bird strike light will include spectral capabilities tuned to the most effective visual range of frequently struck birds; automatic adjustment to ambient light conditions; appropriate angle to maximize detection; and pulse capabilities to enhance detection. Although this recommendation is now over 5 years old, your research program appears to be active and producing useful information.
Accordingly, pending completion of your research to develop an aircraft lighting system that enhances birds’ detection, and avoidance, of aircraft, Safety Recommendation A-10-87 remains classified OPEN---ACCEPTABE RESPONSE.
February 16, 2011 · NTSB Correspondence · United States Department of Agriculture
The NTSB notes that the research conducted by the USDA and its collaborators thus far has been encouraging. We also note that the USDA plans to conduct additional research in the areas of avian visual physiology and behavioral response to object approach and candidate lighting, and that it is trying to secure dedicated funds for this research area, as none currently exist.
The NTSB believes that the USDA’s research activities in wildlife mitigation will contribute significantly to reducing the likelihood of bird strikes; accordingly, we strongly encourage the USDA to continue its efforts. Pending the development of a technology for aircraft that would reduce the likelihood of a bird strike, Safety Recommendation A-10-87 is classified OPEN – ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE.
September 29, 2010 · Recipient Response · United States Department of Agriculture
CC# 201000406: - From Michael J. Begier, National Coordinator, Airport Wildlife Hazrds Program: Summary: Scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center (hereafter - USDA) are collaborating with universities and industry to determine the feasibility of developing lighting systems to reduce bird-aircraft collisions. Preliminary studies by the USDA and its collaborators (U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Precise Flight, Inc., Bend OR, Purdue University, and Indian State University), published in scientific peer-reviewed outlets, indicate the positive feasibility of such systems.
Previous airline use of prototype technologies has shown anecdotal support for the viability of such a system. Full-scale evaluations in an operations environment have yet to be conducted. Although research and development continues in this area, limited internal government resources have constrained full exploration and development of such systems. Research to Date 1999 - USDA research investigated whether it is possible to enhance a bird's ability to detect and avoid approaching aircraft. Efforts focused on avian response to vehicle approach (Le., a ground-based vehicle) and pulsed-lighting treatments relative to published information on avian visual capabilities.
Preliminary findings, published as a peer-reviewed scientific article (Blackwell and Bernhardt 2004; attached), indicated vehicle lighting could influence the behavioral response of birds to vehicle approach. 2005 - Precise Flight, Inc., Qantas, and a Qantas subsidiary initiated a field test of Precise Flight's aircraft lighting control system on select aircraft using existing incandescent landing lights pulsed alternately (~0.75 Hz) between 0 and 10,000 feet above ground level. Field-test results reported by Qantas indicated a decrease in bird-aircraft strike rates.
Though the information from Qantas was encouraging, the data were limited to only a few aircraft, the test conditions were not controlled, and the species involved in strikes were not adequately reported. Concurrently, USDA and collaborator research began to quantify I) the visual capabilities of other bird species frequently reported to the FAA National Wildlife Strike Database, and 2) the behavioral response of these species to vehicle approach and lighting treatment. Research findings showed the importance of understanding the following: • species-specific visual capabilities (particularly the point at which an approaching object is detected),