Predicting Damaging Wildlife Strikes in Helicopter Operations: A Multi-Variable Analysis with Implications for AAM
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Abstract
Wildlife strikes, particularly bird strikes, pose significant safety and economic risks to aviation, with helicopters uniquely vulnerable due to low-altitude operations. The purpose of this study was to examine bird strike trends and risk factors on helicopters to inform safety strategies applicable to future Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) systems, which share similar operational profiles. Using ten years of data (2013-2022) from the Federal Aviation Administration National Wildlife Strike Database, key variables analyzed included altitude, airspeed, phase of flight, time of day, sky conditions, and bird size. Analyses employed trend assessment, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to identify predictors of strike severity. Results indicate that medium and large birds, daytime operations, and altitudes between 501-1000 feet are associated with a higher risk of damage. The predictive model performed well for non-damaging strikes but was less accurate for damaging ones. Findings provide critical insights for aviation operators and AAM system designers, highlighting the need for continuous data collection and consideration of operational variables to enhance wildlife strike mitigation and helicopter safety.
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References
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