The images speak for themselves: in June 2023, in the skies of Graubünden, a large bird simply flew through the windshield of a helicopter in flight. This week, the Swiss Safety Investigation Service (SESE) released its report on this incident which injured a pilot and disrupted the flight. Fortunately, the aircraft was then able to land without any damage other than the head injury suffered by the pilot.
The bird in question is a goshawk, a bird of prey. When he hit the helicopter, it was flying at a speed of 260 km/h and at an altitude of 270 meters above the ground. Neither the pilot nor the bird was able to avoid the collision. The raptor ended up in the passenger compartment and the pilot was injured by the broken glass thrown at him. The co-pilot escaped unscathed.
The SESE notes that the altitude, speed and the pilot’s failure to wear a helmet increased the risk of injury. A study shows that 75% of collisions with birds occur at speeds above 150 km/h. Additionally, 93% of collisions occur at an altitude below 1067 meters above ground. Finally, the pilot’s head injury could have been avoided if he had worn a helmet.
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