Wildlife strikes to civil helicopters in the US, 1990–2011

Authors

Brian E. Washburn, United States Department of AgricultureFollow
Paul Cisar, Aberdeen Proving Grounds
Travis L. DeVault, USDA/APHIS/WS National Wildlife Research CenterFollow

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Transportation Research Part D 24 (2013) 83–88; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2013.06.004

Abstract

This paper examines wildlife strikes with civil helicopters within the US. Month and time of day, location, and other factors influenced the frequency of wildlife strikes with civil helicopters. Wildlife strikes occurred most frequently when the aircraft were traveling en route or engaged in terrain flight. Birds accounted for over 97% of the wildlife strikes where the animal was identified.