Bird Strike Causes Light Aircraft Crash Near Dunstable
A Skyranger Swift mild plane discovered itself in a precarious state of affairs close to Dunstable, Bedfordshire, when an surprising avian encounter led to a crash touchdown. On September 25, the 56-year-old pilot took off from a big subject one mile south of Dunstable and needed to navigate round a heron. Unfortunately, a pigeon struck the propellers, resulting in a lack of energy and an emergency touchdown within the surrounding hedgerow.
A Close Call
Despite the sudden lack of energy and subsequent crash into the bushes, the pilot was unscathed and managed to exit the plane utilizing a ladder. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) lauded the pilot’s readiness for engine failure eventualities, which performed a significant function within the profitable emergency decision with minimal injury and no accidents.
Reflecting on the ‘Miracle on the Hudson’
This incident brings to thoughts one other well-known hen strike occasion that captured international consideration. On January 15, 2009, US Airways Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger made an unprecedented water touchdown on the Hudson River after a hen strike brought about complete engine failure. All 150 passengers onboard survived the occasion, later often known as the ‘Miracle on the Hudson.’
Addressing the Threat Posed by Birds
The Dunstable incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards birds can pose to plane, even through the important phases of takeoff. It underlines the significance of security enhancements to mitigate hen strikes and additional reinforces the necessity for pilots to be adequately ready for engine failure eventualities.
