A Decade of U.S. Air Force Bat Strikes

From 1997 through 2007, 821 bat strikes were reported to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Safety Center by aircraft personnel or ground crew and sent to the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, for identification. Many samples were identified by macroscopic and or microscopic comparisons with bat specimens housed in the museum and augmented during the last 2 years by DNA analysis. Bat remains from USAF strikes during this period were received at the museum from 40 states in the United States and from 20 countries. We confirmed that 46% of the strikes were caused by bats, but we did not identify them further; we identified 5% only to the family or genus level, and 49% to the species level. Fifty-five of the 101 bat-strike samples submitted for DNA analysis have been identified to the species level. Twenty-five bat species have been recorded striking USAF planes worldwide. The Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis; n = 173) is the species most commonly identified in USAF strike impacts, followed by the red bat (Lasiurus borealis; n = 83). Bat strikes peak during the spring and fall, with \u3e57% occurring from August through October; 82% of the reports that included time of strike were recorded between 2100 and 0900 hours. More than 12% of the bat strikes were reported at \u3e300 m above ground level (AGL). Although$825,000 and \u3e50% of this sum was attributable to 5 bat-strike incidents. Only 5 bats from the 10 most damaging bat strikes were identified to the species level, either because we did not receive remains with the reports or the sample was insufficient for identification

A Decade of United States Air Force Bat Strikes

From 1997 to 2007, 821 bat strikes were reported to the United States Air Force (USAF). Many samples were identified by macroscopic and/or microscopic comparisons with bat specimens housed in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and in recent years by using molecular techniques. We received bat strike reports from 20 countries and 40 of the United States during this time frame. Forty-six percent of the strikes were identified to order; 5% were identified to family or genus; and 49% were identified to the species level. Fiftyfive of the 101 bat strikes submitted for DNA analysis since 2006 resulted in species-level identifications. Twenty-five species of bat have been recorded striking USAF planes world-wide. The most commonly identified bat involved in USAF strike impacts is the Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis; n=173), followed by the red bat (Lasiurus borealis; n=83). Bat strikes peaked during the spring and fall with more than 57% taking place between August and October; 82% of the strikes that recorded a mishap time occurred between 2100 and 0900; and more than 12% of the bat strikes were reported at or above 1000 feet. Although less than 1% of the bat strike reports indicated damage to USAF aircraft, cumulative damages for 1997-2007 totaled over $825,000.00 and more than half of this sum is attributed to five bat strikes. Only five of the ten most damaging bat strikes were identified to the species level because we did not receive samples, or the evidence received was insufficient for identification. Improving the identification of bat species involved in aircraft strikes will increase our knowledge of bat movement, life history, and behavior, and help improve flying safety by predicting times, areas, and altitudes of increased bat movement and activity