Birdstrike - Cessna 182P, VH-TIS, 2 km east of Ayr (ALA), Queensland, on 15 October 2011

On 15 October 2011, a Cessna Aircraft Company 182P, registered VH-TIS, departed Ayr, Queensland on a private flight within the local area. On board the aircraft were the pilot and five passengers.

On descent from 1,000 ft into Ayr Aeroplane Landing Area (ALA), the pilot noticed a bird to the left of the aircraft, followed almost immediately by an impact with the windscreen. The bird penetrated the windscreen causing it to shatter.

The pilot selected full power, but the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude. Approaching 200 ft, the pilot selected a cane field to conduct a forced landing. TIS came to a stop and the pilot and passengers were able to exit the aircraft through the jump door and the windscreen. The pilot and passengers sustained minor injuries.

Following the birdstrike, the pilot focused on maintaining control of the aircraft. The decision to make a controlled landing into a cane field resulted in a safe outcome.

While it is difficult to prevent birdstikes, a number of proactive measures can be taken by both pilots and airports to reduce the risk. These include not flying at times of known high activity (usually dusk), looking for bird activity in the vicinity of the airport prior to departure and actively reducing bird attractants (water and food sources) from the airport surroundings.