The foundation to our understanding of wildlife hazards to aviation lies in the quantity and quality of strike data within the National Wildlife Strike Database (NWSD). The database extends from 1990 - 2020 and is a collaborative effort begun in 1995 between the FAA and the USDA. Although the quantity of strikes reported each year over three decades has grown significantly, the quality assurance provided by the USDA is the keystone allowing the NWSD to be invaluable throughout the aviation industry. Pilots, airports, and others involved in wildlife strikes report strike data voluntarily on an as needed basis.
The data collection is used by the FAA, USDA Wildlife Service, airports, engine and airframe manufacturers, ICAO and foreign countries to develop standards to address bird and other wildlife hazards to aircraft and injury to personnel and to develop wildlife habitat control methods on or adjacent to airports. Using wildlife strike reports, the FAA can determine the hazard level of species struck, track national trends, and provide a scientific foundation for regulatory guidance concerning mitigation of risks from wildlife strikes. Airports and wildlife biologists use the data to identify and mitigate hazardous species, to identify strike dynamics and attractants, and to evaluate the effectiveness of their wildlife management programs. Engine and airframe manufacturers use the data to evaluate the effectiveness of aircraft components.
A wildlife strike report must include the incident date and time but can also include information about the airport, aircraft, aircraft operator, environmental conditions, damage, costs, effect on flight, wildlife involved, and incident reporter. Reporters can also attach photographs of damage and wildlife involved. The data elements collected help the FAA and partner organizations identify trends in wildlife strikes and their impact on U.S. aviation. Incident reporter contact information is collected for internal use only to contact reporters if more details about an incident are needed and to help identify potential duplicate reports.
The information collected is authenticated and stored electronically in the FAA National Wildlife Strike Database (https://wildlife.faa.gov/home). This database is accessible to international, national, state, and local governments and both public and private organizations and individuals for use in addressing the wildlife aircraft strike issue.
The FAA Wildlife Hazard Program, managed by the Office of Airports and the Airport Technology Research & Development Branch, will retain control over the information and safeguard it from improper access, modification, and destruction, consistent with FAA standards for confidentiality, privacy, and electronic information. See response to Question 10 of this Supporting Statement for more information on confidentiality and privacy. The information collection is designed to yield data that meet all applicable information quality guidelines.
US Code:
49 USC 44706
Name of Law: Airport Operating Certificates
In the previous submissions FAA counted responses from federally employed air traffic controllers among the general public responses. However this submission more correctly counts the number of responses submitted by federal Air Traffic Controllers and the associated burden, toward the Cost to Federal Government. This is not a change to the collection but a correction in the way we are reporting data submitted by this group of federal employees. We have also included the labor cost to the public of submitting wildlife remains for identification. The agency has separated collection activity into appropriate information collections; there have been no additional forms or applications added.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form 5200-7 Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Report Paper
2120-0045 Supporting Statement A Final.docx
Statement on Privacy Impact of OMB Collection 2120-0045.pdf
Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Report Web