On the evening of Jan. 8, 2014, a U.S. Air Force (USAF) Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter took off from RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. The U.S. crew of four was practicing a nighttime rescue mission and was flying the aircraft about 110 ft above ground level (AGL) at 110 kt when they inadvertently passed over Cley Marshes, a nature reserve well known for its resident bird populations. Apparently startled by the noise of the aircraft, a flock of geese took off into the path of the helicopter. Several birds crashed through the windscreen, hitting the pilot and copilot and rendering them unconscious. At least one other bird hit the nose of the aircraft, disabling the trim and flight stabilization systems. The helicopter crashed to the ground in seconds, killing the pilots and two other crewmembers. The aircraft was destroyed.
Bird strikes have been a serious problem since the beginning of powered flight, according to a number of historical information resources. The first bird …
