Sw. Gabrey et Ra. Dolbeer, RAINFALL EFFECTS ON BIRD-AIRCRAFT COLLISIONS AT 2 UNITED-STATES AIRPORTS, Wildlife Society bulletin, 24(2), 1996, pp. 272-275
We examined the influence of rainfall on bird-aircraft collisions at 2
major United States airports. Presence of standing water from rainfal
l did not increase the probability of bird-aircraft collisions at John
F. Kennedy international Airport during April-October, 1986-1990. How
ever, at O'Hare international Airport there was evidence that standing
water increased collision rates. During April-October 1992-1994, coll
ision rates were higher 1 day after greater than or equal to 2.54 cm r
ain than at other times. Although this analysis showed no clear-cut in
fluence of rainfall on bird-aircraft collisions, airport operations pe
rsonnel, as precautionary measures, should continue efforts to remove
standing water and deter bird use of puddles. Detailed long-term data
on daily bird-aircraft collisions, rainfall, and bird use of standing
water are needed from other airports so that a more comprehensive and
generalized analysis of collisions in relation to rainfall can be made
.