Schumer bill would mandate bird strike reporting

WASHINGTON — New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that each time a bird hits an airplane, it should be reported to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Schumer said he’s filing legislation that would make the reporting mandatory.

The FAA recently released data showing that collisions with birds or other animals have destroyed 28 aircraft since 2000, with New York’s Kennedy airport and Sacramento International reporting the most incidents with serious damage.

The FAA estimated its voluntary reporting system captures only 20 percent of such incidents.

It released the entire data set after pressure following the Jan. 15 ditching of a US Airways jet in the Hudson River after bird strikes knocked out its engines. The Associated Press sought the database under the Freedom of Information Act.

Schumer, D-N.Y., said the problem can’t be properly addressed until it’s fully understood. He said the reporting system is already set up, so making it mandatory would not be expensive nor complicated. He said he anticipated the legislation could pass as early as this summer.

“Complete reporting will enable us to pinpoint the real dangers, spot particular runways, time of day, flight patterns,” Schumer said.