Hawaii‘s typically calm skies reflect a global concern recently highlighted by incidents reported by The Seattle Times. Following two serious engine failures on Southwest Airlines 737 MAX planes that were not in Hawaii, Boeing has issued a new alert to pilots about handling emergencies caused by bird strikes, including in Hawaii.
Just two months ago, we wrote about a bird strike incident in Hawaii involving a Delta Airlines A321neo, which damaged the plane. This occurred as the plane had just landed in Lihue, Kauai, and was moving down the runway.
Watch: New Delta plane damaged in Kauai amid increase in bird attacks in Hawaii.
The two serious bird incidents that led to this situation and broader warning occurred last year. Southwest and United, the two airlines that operate MAX planes to Hawaii, had previously advised their pilots. However, current pilot manuals do not adequately document the related system designed to protect flights, according to several reports.
United said it conducted “a thorough review of existing training and procedural guidelines for our pilots.” Southwest said it would update its flight manual.
“They haven’t told us much… We’re still kind of in limbo.”
Tom Nekoeui, vice president of the Southeast pilots union, in response to bird strikes.
These incidents reignite the conversation about aviation safety, particularly in bird-prone areas, including Hawaii.
A closer look at the incidents The most recently reported incidents involved bird strikes that damaged the aircraft’s engines, causing smoke to infiltrate the interior of the aircraft. These alarming developments led Boeing to strengthen procedures to manage potentially critical situations. This global problem directly affects Hawaii, given the state’s significant bird populations and the recent increase in bird strike incidents here.
The local impact in Hawaii In Hawaii, the recent bird strike on the Delta flight in Lihue, and more than 100 bird strikes in Hawaii last year, are a stark reminder of these real risks. That Delta plane suffered damage to the nose of the runway, reflecting the severity of bird strike incidents. These events are expected to prompt authorities to review and intensify bird hazard management strategies.
Mitigation and safety strategies in Hawaii. Efforts include habitat management to reduce bird populations near airports and employing radar technology to monitor and manage bird movements. These are part of a broader global initiative to implement best practices to ensure the safety of aircraft from these wildlife hazards.
Global lessons for local implementation The incidents reported in today’s article are not isolated but part of a broader challenge that affects all of aviation. Airlines operating in Hawaii are focused on adopting local and global incident best practices to refine their safety protocols.
Also community and environmental considerations. The conversation extends to the community and environmental and conservation spheres, where it is essential to seek a balance between effective wildlife management and protection.
As Hawaii seeks to address its bird strike challenges, the lessons from each incident, both local and non-local, are invaluable in shaping strategies to further improve air travel safety and efficiency.
The renewed focus on bird strikes in aviation here in Hawaii and globally reflects the interconnectedness of aviation safety issues.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow Keynote USA Local on Twitter.