Bird Strikes That Caused U.S. Airways Hudson River Plane Crash Are Transportation, Environmental Problem

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i feel bad for the birds.

of 9:24PM January 15, 2009

The thing is, the chances of having a multiple strike that disables both engines is extrememly rare. Bird strikes do happen and sometimes take out one engine but two is something else. It happened to a Thompson airliner out of Manchester (U.K.) which had to turn around as the pilot had to switch an engine off due to the strike. The arguement is that bird srikes are not considered to be fatal to aircraft due to their design in both engines and structure. However, the chances were against this airliner as with most other plane crashes.

Luke 6:51PM January 15, 2009

When birds get ingested into aircraft engines the problem is that the debris limits airflow and and the blades in the compressor section get smaller and smaller as the debris progresses thru the engine Finally the compressor will stall and backfire.

The birds can actrally penetrate the skin of the aircraft. The blades of the turbine are very hard. If you had a screen on the front of the engine it would just get clogged.

There is no easy awnswer to the problem but there are many protocals in place to watch the birds warn the birds with sound etc.

The only thing i can think of is for the aircraft to have a special horn or sound system to warn the birds. i do not think that has been tried. I am an artist and that is MY IDEA. So give me credit.

I am a former jet engine mechanic.

Donald Branscom of CA 6:23PM January 15, 2009

Looks like the pilots are getting serious about the union contract and seniority issues. Glad to hear everyone is OK.

Pete Z of DC 6:10PM January 15, 2009

Why can't airplane manufacturers come up with a design to protect engine such as a grid on the front of the engine that stops the bird getting into the engine. Or a sharp grid that slices birds into small pieces so that the engine can digest it better. It may sound funny, but something has to be done to safe guard lives.

KES SMITH 5:57PM January 15, 2009

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Fresh Greens

Maura Judkis is a producer at U.S. News. She writes about the green movement and looks for ways to be an ecofriendly consumer without breaking the bank. Send her your green tips.

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