The effect of birdstrike depends on many factors including the type of aircraft. Outcomes may include shutting down an engine, as may have happened with the Virgin Australia flight. This plane was a Boeing 737-800, which has the capability to fly on a single engine to an alternate airport. In aviation jargon, however, a strikehappenswhenabird suddenly crosses the trajectory of an aeroplane. Usually, with an adverse outcome for the bird. It’s not a rare occurrence for abird and aplane to collide. Usually, it’s the forward-facing edges of the plane – the nose, the cockpit, tail, and wings – that suffer, along with the engines. For larger planes – basically all passenger liners – the engines are the weakest points. The Skylark is common in birdstrikes (Image: handout/RSPB). Modern planes are built to deal with the impact of birdstrikes. During manufacturing, engineers will use a specially-built cannon to fire chicken carcases at aplane to test its structural integrity. Usually, it’s the forward facing edges of the plane – the nose, the cockpit, tail and wings – that suffer, along the engines. For larger planes – basically all passenger liners – the engines are the weakest points. The plane caught fire during the crash landing in a clearing near the airport. An Eastern Airlines Crash in Boston Harbor.
