​Wildlife Strikes

​Any bird or animal strike needs to be reported, in line with international regulations

Effective in Curaçao airports where scheduled, non-scheduled/charter or any other flying activity takes place, ICAO stipulates the reporting of any Wildlife Strike in Annex 14 – Aerodromes, Volume I – Aerodrome Design and Operations, edition 6, 2013. The requirement applies to any operator engaged in scheduled, non- scheduled air transport services and general aviation.

Reporting obligation

Pilots in command of an aircraft shall immediately inform the air traffic control unit whenever a potential bird hazard is observed, or he/she is aware that a wildlife (bird/animal) strike has occurred.

Wildlife Strikes can be reported directly via this website, or using a dedicated digital form. Wildlife Strikes reports must be submitted within two days of the incident.

Click here to download the wildlife strike reporting form in our Publications section.

Definition of wildlife (bird/animal) strike

Wildlife strikes are defined in following two categories:

Confirmed Strikes

  • Any reported collision between a bird or other wildlife and an aircraft for which evidence in the form of a carcass, remains or damage to the aircraft is found.
  • Any wildlife (bird/animal) found dead on an airfield where there is no other obvious cause of death (e.g. strike by vehicles in the operational area, etc.).

Unconfirmed Strikes

  • Any reported collision between a bird or other wildlife and an aircraft for which no physical evidence is found.
Click the headings to keep reading

Wildlife strike occurrence

A wildlife strike has occurred when:

    • A pilot reports aircraft strike with one or more birds or other wildlife;
    • Aircraft maintenance personnel identify aircraft damage as having been caused by wildlife (bird/animal) strike;
    • Personnel on the ground report observing an aircraft strike with one or more birds or other wildlife;
    • Bird or other wildlife remains, whether in whole or in part, are found within 200 feet of the runway centerline, unless any other reason for the animal’s death is identified; and
    • Wildlife (bird/animal) presence on the airport had a significant negative effect on a flight i.e. aborted take-off, go around, high-speed emergency stop, aircraft left pavement area to avoid collision with animal, air turn back due wildlife (bird/animal), etc.