Deadly Airport Bird Strikes Prevented by Tall Grasses?

One Ohio airport is now looking to tall prairie grasses as the answer to preventing deadly and frequent bird strikes in the area, according to reports.

These types of collisions are damaging to both birds and planes, and some airports around the world resort to shooting or poisoning large flocks or birds to avoid these run-ins. But Dayton International Airport believes planting tall prairie grass may be an effective, gentler way of scaring away birds from deadly plane propellers.

According to The Associated Press (AP), birds like geese - which are the most damaging species to planes - supposedly avoid long grasses because they fear predators might be hiding in them. Airport officials are converting up to 300 acres of the airfield's 2,200 non-aeronautical acres into prairie grass. The goal is, by the end of the year, to plant the vegetation under the takeoff and landing paths.

"We operate airports in a smaller and smaller environment," Terrence G. Slaybaugh, director of Dayton's airport, told the AP. "If we are going to protect the long term use of airports in an increasingly populated area we need to be less intrusive and find ways to contribute in a positive way to our surroundings."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that over 10,000 bird strikes occur in the United States each year, most of them during the months of July-October, when young birds fledge from nests and Fall migration occurs. Damage to engines is typically the most frequent problem, effectively costing the FAA an estimated $957 million per year.

The bird strike causing in the greatest loss of life occurred in 1960 when Eastern Air Lines Flight 375 struck a flock of European starlings during takeoff. All four engines were damaged and the aircraft crashed in the Boston harbor, resulting in 62 fatalities.

Overall, in the past 23 years there were 25 deaths and 279 injuries linked to wildlife strikes in the United States.

Prairie grasses may be birds' long-awaited salvation. Not only could it protect birds, but other benefits include preventing water runoff, removing atmospheric carbon dioxide and mowing only once every three years - a relief to the airport's lawnmowers.

Naturally, bird lovers everywhere are excited about this development.

"It's a watershed moment. Our airport is embracing it," Charity Krueger, executive director of the Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm next to the airport, told the AP.

However, Dayton airport still has to prove that its idea is the best approach. It's possible the tactic could backfire, given that in the past prairie grasses have led to increased rodent populations, a food source for birds.