NEW ZEALAND AVIATION WILDLIFE HAZARD GROUP
The recognised industry body for practitioners of aviation wildlife hazard management in New Zealand
Promoting and enhancing the effective management of aviation wildlife hazards in New Zealand
The New Zealand Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group is a leader in airport wildlife strike prevention
A Network
of aviation professionals to better manage wildlife at NZ airports
Airports. Airlines. Authorities. Associations.
Recognised by the NZ Civil Aviation Authority as New Zealand’s National Wildlife Strike Committee
Wildlife strikes and aviation
Aircraft and wildlife, especially birds, have been coming into contact with one another since the beginning of aviation. The first reported bird strike occurred in 1905, when the Wright Flyer flown by Orville Wright struck a bird over an Ohio cornfield.
Bird strikes happen every day, and occur most commonly at airports (90 per cent according to ICAO), when aircraft are landing, or taking off. The majority happen at low altitudes: 50–60 per cent of bird strikes occur at zero to 50 feet, and 30 per cent between 50–500 feet.
Bird strikes worldwide have accounted for 262 human fatalities since 1988 and destroyed 250 aircraft. Bird strikes cause over $1.2 billion in aircraft damage annually.
Promoting and enhancing the effective management of aviation wildlife hazards in New Zealand
The NZ Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group (NZAWHG) is a leader in airport wildlife strike prevention.
Through dialogue with the industry, the NZAWHG seeks and advances innovative ideas in aviation safety. Our mandate includes setting standards and addressing industry issues by formulating effective strategies and implementing change through regulatory means.
Statistics on wildlife strikes
Source: Boeing
Acknowledgement: Australian Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group
Location: Elmendorf, USA
Aircraft: E3A AWACS
Species: Canada Geese
Result: Aircraft destroyed
Location: Le Bourget, France
Aircraft: Falcon 20
Species: Lapwings
Result: Aircraft destroyed
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands
Aircraft: C-130
Species: Starlings
Result: Aircraft destroyed
Location: Milan, Italy
Aircraft: Lear 45
Species: Pigeons
Result: Aircraft destroyed
Location: Aktion, Greece
Aircraft: E3A AWACS
Species: Starlings
Result: Aircraft destroyed
Location: Australian airport (after take-off)
Aircraft: Boeing 767-300
Species: Australian White Ibis
Result: Engine blades damaged
Location: Near Zhukovsky Airport, Moscow (after take-off)
Aircraft: Airbus A321, 233 onboard
Species: Gulls
Result: Lost power, forced landing
Location: Rome, Italy
Aircraft: B737 800
Species: Starling
Result: Aircraft destroyed
Location: Gold Coast Airport (after take-off)
Aircraft: Airbus A330
Species: Masked lapwing/s
Result: Number 2 engine failure
Location: New York, USA
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Species: Canada Goose
Result: Aircraft destroyed
Location: Moscow, Russia
Aircraft: Antonov 12
Species: Unknown
Result: Aircraft destroyed
Acknowledgement: Australian Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group
What we do
- Enhance industry and public awareness of aviation wildlife hazard management and the associated risk.
- Promote industry best practice in aviation wildlife hazard management.
- Provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss aviation wildlife hazard management and methods for reducing the associated risk.
- Act as an information source for organisations and individuals with a vested interest in aviation wildlife hazard management.
- Provide advice to relevant agencies and industry groups with regard to aviation wildlife hazard management policy, safety regulation and guidance material.
- Liaise with other aviation wildlife hazard bodies worldwide.
- Monitor progress in research, regulations, procedures and the methods available to manage aviation wildlife risk.
- Encourage the provision of Wildlife Hazard Management training and promote proficiency for all personnel engaged in aviation wildlife hazard management.
- Encourage the continued monitoring and recording of wildlife activity and strikes which affect aviation safety.
- Encourage the reporting of all wildlife hazards and wildlife strikes to the Civil Aviation Authority and related bodies.
- Monitor and review both national and international regulations, standards and guidance material on aviation wildlife hazard management.
A network
of aviation professionals to better manage wildlife at NZ airports
The key to reduce damaging wildlife strikes to aircraft in New Zealand is by building a community of professionals to exchange ideas, experiences and co-operative efforts to better manage wildlife at all New Zealand airports.
It is through the ecological management of wildlife and the application of best practices that we will be successful in reducing wildlife strikes to aircraft. In pursuing these beliefs, we influence all aspects of airport wildlife management in New Zealand.
Airports. Airlines. Authorities. Associations.
Airports. Airlines. Authorities. Associations.
Airports. Airlines. Authorities. Associations.
The NZ Aviation Wildlife Hazard Group is recognised by the NZ Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as New Zealand’s National Wildlife Strike Committee organised under the guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Contact Us
If you would like to know more about what we do, or would like to discuss any particular matter relating to the management of aviation wildlife hazards, please get in touch with us through the contact details below.
Or send us a message and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.
