1. US Airways Flight 1549 – The “Miracle on the Hudson” (2009)
On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 took off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, only to collide with a massive flock of Canada geese less than two minutes later. Both engines lost power instantly, leaving Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger with mere moments to react. With no time to return to an airport, he made the now-famous decision to ditch the Airbus A320 into the Hudson River. Incredibly, all 155 passengers and crew survived, thanks to Sullenberger’s quick thinking and years of training. The event became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” but it also served as a stark reminder of how catastrophic bird strikes can be.
2. Eastern Air Lines Flight 375 – The Deadliest Bird Strike (1960)
One of the worst bird-related air disasters in history occurred on October 4, 1960, when a Lockheed L-188 Electra took off from Boston Logan International Airport. Just seconds into flight, the plane flew into a massive flock of starlings, which shut down three of its four engines. Unable to maintain altitude, the aircraft crashed into the Boston Harbor, tragically killing 62 of the 72 people on board. This incident remains the deadliest bird strike in aviation history, proving that even small birds can have devastating consequences when they hit an aircraft in large numbers. It was a chilling lesson in the dangers of bird strikes—one that still influences airport wildlife control measures today.
3. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 604 – A Fiery Water Landing (1988)
On September 15, 1988, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 604 took off from Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, when a flock of pigeons struck both engines, causing them to fail almost immediately. The Boeing 737 began losing altitude rapidly, forcing the pilots to attempt an emergency landing in a nearby lake. As the aircraft touched down on the water, one wing struck the surface unevenly, causing the plane to flip over and catch fire. Miraculously, most of the passengers and crew survived by escaping through the emergency exits, but 35 people lost their lives due to the impact and fire. The crash remains one of the most harrowing examples of how even small birds can bring down a commercial airliner.
4. Sikorsky S-76C Helicopter Crash – A Bird Strike Turns Fatal (2009)
On January 4, 2009, a Sikorsky S-76C helicopter operated by PHI, Inc. was en route from Louisiana to an offshore oil platform when it collided with a large bird at cruising altitude. Investigators later determined that the bird—likely a red-tailed hawk—smashed into the helicopter’s windshield, damaging critical flight controls and causing catastrophic engine failure. The aircraft plunged into a marshy area near Morgan City, Louisiana, killing eight of the nine people on board. The only survivor, a passenger, was found severely injured but alive among the wreckage.
5. KLM Flight 1673 – Bird Strike Forces Emergency Landing (2010)
On June 6, 2010, KLM Flight 1673, a Boeing 737-400, took off from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, heading for Barcelona. Shortly after departure, the aircraft flew into a flock of birds, causing one of its engines to sustain significant damage. Passengers reported hearing loud bangs and seeing flames shoot from the engine, leading the pilots to declare an emergency and immediately turn back to Schiphol. Despite the alarming situation, the flight crew safely landed the aircraft, and no injuries were reported. However, the engine damage was severe enough to ground the plane for repairs.
6. Thomsonfly Boeing 757 Incident – A Crow Nearly Took Down a Jet (2007)
On June 23, 2007, a Thomsonfly Boeing 757 departing from Manchester Airport in the UK suffered a serious bird strike just after takeoff. A crow was sucked into one of the aircraft’s engines, causing significant damage and forcing the pilots to shut it down mid-flight. With only one working engine and a plane full of passengers, the pilots had to circle back and execute an emergency landing. Passengers later recalled hearing a loud bang followed by engine failure, making for a nerve-wracking return to Manchester Airport. Thankfully, the skilled flight crew landed safely without injuries, but the incident highlighted how even a single small bird can create a dangerous situation for a massive aircraft.
7. Ryanair Flight 4102 – When Birds Took Down Both Engines (2008)
On November 10, 2008, Ryanair Flight 4102 was approaching Rome Ciampino Airport when it smashed into a massive flock of starlings. The impact disabled both engines, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing. As the aircraft touched down, its landing gear collapsed due to the force of the impact, causing a dramatic skid along the runway. Miraculously, all 172 passengers and crew survived, but the aircraft itself was damaged beyond repair. The event underscored just how fast a seemingly routine flight can turn into an emergency when birds are involved.
8. Japan Airlines Flight 904 – A Hawk Nearly Took It Down (2017)
On August 26, 2017, Japan Airlines Flight 904 was climbing after takeoff when a large hawk slammed into one of its engines. Passengers reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by flames and smoke pouring from the affected engine. The pilots quickly shut down the engine and returned safely to the airport, averting what could have been a serious disaster. The bird strike caused significant engine damage, requiring costly repairs and grounding the aircraft for weeks. This incident reinforced the constant threat that birds pose to even the most technologically advanced airplanes.
9. Delta Airlines Flight 1889 – A Thunderstorm of Birds (2019)
On July 19, 2019, Delta Airlines Flight 1889 took off from Salt Lake City, expecting routine conditions—until it flew straight into a chaotic swarm of birds. The impact shattered the plane’s nose cone and damaged an engine, forcing an emergency landing. Passengers later described hearing multiple loud thuds, followed by a strong burning smell inside the cabin. When the plane finally landed, its entire nose was caved in, and the front windshield was covered in bird remains. The dramatic images from this event proved just how much damage even small birds can do to modern aircraft.
10. United Airlines Flight 1738 – Bird Strike Damages Engine, Forces Emergency Landing (2016)
On July 14, 2016, United Airlines Flight 1738, a Boeing 737-900, took off from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, heading to Miami. Shortly after departure, the aircraft suffered a bird strike, which caused significant engine damage. The pilots quickly assessed the situation and declared an emergency, opting to return to O’Hare for an immediate landing. Fortunately, they safely brought the plane back to the ground, and none of the passengers or crew were injured. However, the aircraft sustained visible engine damage, requiring extensive repairs before it could fly again.
