FAA Seeks Public Comment on Wildlife Strikes

The proposed advisory circular reduces the minimum acceptable size for reporting animal collisions.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 11:37 AM ET

Verified

When it comes to bird strikes, authorities want to know what kind of animal was hit and where the collision took place, including the altitude. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

An unexpected bird strike incident revealed common pilot uncertainty regarding post-wildlife encounter procedures and reporting requirements.
The FAA is soliciting public comment on its Draft Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-32C, which aims to clarify the importance of reporting wildlife aircraft strikes and outline updated procedures.
Key proposed changes in the AC include reducing the minimum reportable strike size, offering new considerations for multiple small animal incidents, and streamlining reporting towards electronic submission.
The information gathered from these reports, such as animal type, altitude, and location, is vital for the FAA to evaluate aviation risks and track wildlife patterns.

See a mistake? Contact us.

“Uh-oh!”

This is not a phrase you want to hear in an airplane, but that was what the learner said when we encountered the red-tailed hawk on downwind. Before myself or the learner could react, the bird, flapping wildly and heading toward us belly first, struck the Cessna 172 on the left side of the windscreen where it meets the wing. A shudder went through the airplane as the bird—or what was left of it—tumbled over the aircraft.