This aviation occurrence dashboard allows users to search for wildlife (bird or animal) strike incidents and accidents reported to the ATSB. Users can refine the data using several parameters including occurrence time, location, aircraft type and activity group.
Why the ATSB produced this dashboard
Occurrences involving aircraft striking wildlife, particularly birds, continue to be the most common aviation occurrence reported to the ATSB. Wildlife strikes are a potential safety risk and present a significant economic risk for aerodrome and aircraft operators. The aim of this dashboard is to provide information back to pilots, aerodrome and aircraft operators, regulators, and other aviation industry participants to assist them with understanding and managing the risks associated with bird and animal strikes. The data in the dashboard does not include any identifying information about the aircraft (no aircraft registration or operator names) or pilots.
How the data is collected?
ATSB data is collected through the mandatory occurrence reporting requirements of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 and associated Regulations from the aviation industry. It is provided publicly as a result of the cooperative efforts between the ATSB and the aviation industry as a whole.
An explanation of the reporting requirements (what to report and who is responsible for reporting) is explained on the ATSB Aviation reporting requirements page. For wildlife strikes, apart from accidents and serious incidents which are immediately reportable to the ATSB, other strikes are routine reportable (within 72 hours) via the ATSB aviation incident reporting form. Routine reportable wildlife strikes includes birdstrikes and animal strikes (including when the pilot suspects a birdstrike/animal strike) where the aircraft is in flight, or taking off or landing anywhere. It also includes birdstrike and animal strikes based on evidence from where a carcass is found on a runway. Reporting does not include near strikes.
Data refresh cycle
To align with reporting, data processing and data quality review timelines, this dashboard is updated on the 3rd Friday of each month containing data from the previous 10 years and the current year up to 2 months prior to the refresh date.
Due to processing delays, not all reported occurrences from airlines after July 2021 are included in the dataset at this stage. This has been related to technical difficulties that are now resolved and the ATSB is working through the backlog and will update this page as processing is progressed.
Can I download the whole database?
No. The ATSB limits exporting of data from the National Aviation Occurrence Database (including reported wildlife strike occurrences), which has been made available for general statistical purposes only. This is due in part to the need for the ATSB to preserve confidentiality, continuously update and improve data on receipt of additional information and ongoing data cleaning efforts. The National Aviation Occurrence Database is the only authoritative and controlled dataset that is updated regularly. Some data may be missing, incomplete or yet to be reported and/or processed.
The ATSB does not endorse, and disclaims any responsibility for, use of the data beyond general statistical purposes. The ATSB also does not endorse the use of its aviation occurrence data for any commercial purposes.
Taxonomy and terminology
The ATSB uses several taxonomies (including activity group, occurrence category and classification) to efficiently and consistently categorise and code transport safety occurrences. Read more here.
Wildlife descriptors and groupings
Bird and animal species types are grouped by similar species. These groupings were defined by grouping birds and animals of similar species, size, and/or appearance. These groupings were applied because similar birds are often reported to the ATSB as an incorrect species. In addition to these groupings, the complete list of bird and animal species is also included in the dashboard. For the purpose of this dashboard, the birdstrike data includes all flying animals (including bats and flying foxes). Animal strikes were considered to involve all non-flying animals (including flightless birds: for example Emus and Cassowaries). The bird ingestion (into an engine) requirements outlined in the United States Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 33.76 were used as a guide to develop bird size categories. The bird size categories used are outlined below:
- small bird: up to and including 0.085 kg
- medium bird: greater than 0.085 kg, and up to and including 1.15 kg
- large bird: greater than 1.15 kg, and up to and including 3.65 kg
- very large bird: greater than 3.65 kg.
Location data
Wildlife strikes are sometimes identified during a pre-, or post-flight aircraft inspection, where the previous flight crew had no knowledge of striking an animal/bird. In these cases, the location of the wildlife strike has been set to ‘unknown’, rather than at the aerodrome where the inspection was carried out. The proximity of the aerodrome to a wildlife strike has been coded as either:
- on aerodrome (within the aerodrome’s border)
- off aerodrome < 10 km (from the aerodrome’s border to 10 km from the aerodrome)
- off aerodrome > 10 km (outside 10 km from the aerodrome)
- unknown.
In the dashboard, generally at aerodrome locations within the map, multiple occurrences are located at the same latitude and longitude. This typically occurs when the reported location is ‘on aerodrome’ with the latitude/longitude for the aerodrome being used instead of a more accurate position within the aerodrome.
Activity types
The activity group for aircraft involved in a wildlife strike presented in this dashboard. These are defined as:
- Commercial air transport: includes scheduled and non-scheduled commercial passenger carrying and freight operations
- General aviation/recreational: includes aerial work, instruction flying, sport and pleasure flying and other general aviation activities
- Military: all flights where a military aircraft is involved
- Unknown activity group: flying where the activity group is unknown.
Limitations of the dataset
The data quality and consistency is largely dependent on the details reported to the ATSB. The information in the majority of non-investigated occurrence reports is not subject to thorough verification. Species are often recorded as unknown as this is what is reported to the ATSB. When reporting bird and animal strikes to the ATSB, please include as much detail as possible to ensure the highest level of information can be provided back to you through this dashboard, including (when known) species or common bird/animal name and size.
The dataset is subject to change. The ATSB may need to update and improve these data as it receives additional information and validates the data already received.
The ATSB data includes information obtained from all reports that meet the reporting requirements of the Transport Safety Investigation Regulations 2021. Not all notifications reported to the ATSB are classified as occurrences (incidents, serious incidents or accidents). Those that are deemed to not be a transport safety matter are classified as ‘events’, including suspected strikes or near misses. Events are not included in this dashboard.
Using the dashboard
There are 6 wildlife dashboards available through the page button at the bottom of the dashboard:
- Birdstrikes across Australia
- Birdstrikes by year and location
- Birdstrikes by species and location
- Significant birdstrikes
- Animal strikes across Australia
- Animal strikes by species and location
Further information regarding wildlife strikes can be obtained by ‘drilling through’ (right clicking) on visuals in the dashboard to display a data table containing all relevant details of the occurrence.
Disclaimer on data use
The ATSB collects aviation safety data and investigates air safety occurrences for the sole purpose of enhancing aviation safety. Consequently, the ATSB material is confined to matters of safety significance and may be misleading if used for any other purpose.
The ATSB aims to publish occurrence data as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving reports from industry. However, depending on workload and the volume of reports received, it may take time to input and process the reported data from when we received the report. If you are seeking data or information on a specific recent occurrence that does not appear in search results, you should contact the ATSB via email: atsbinfo@atsb.gov.au.
When using this data, it is important to remember that occurrence data is provided to the ATSB by responsible persons as defined in the Transport Safety Investigation Regulations 2021.
The ATSB accepts no liability for any loss or damage suffered by any person or organisation resulting from the use of these data. The ATSB does not warrant the completeness, accuracy or suitability of these data and the database for your intended purpose.
User agreement
By clicking start I acknowledge that I have read, understood and agree with the above limitations and disclaimer on data use.
