JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As millions of travelers take to the skies this Christmas holiday, safety teams at Jacksonville International Airport are focused on a threat most passengers never see: wildlife on and near the runway.
In 1988, a pair of wild pigs wandered onto the runway of an F-16 fighter jet, forcing the pilot to eject as it veered off the runway and crashed at JIA, according to the Associated Press.
The pilot was bruised when he landed, the pigs died, and the $16 million jet was destroyed.
Airport officials at JIA said preventing wildlife strikes requires constant monitoring, habitat management and, when necessary, active deterrence.
Certified wildlife biologist Alison Doran works daily to reduce those risks at JAX.
“The main goal of a wildlife biologist at an airport is to reduce the risk of a strike happening and to make your flight safe,” Doran said.
According to Doran, birds are the most common concern, particularly egrets, hawks, vultures and swallows. While commercial jet engines are designed to withstand impacts from birds weighing up to about four pounds, larger birds and mammals can cause significant damage.
Airport wildlife mitigation focuses on long-term solutions rather than quick fixes, Doran said. One major strategy involves managing vegetation to make the airfield less attractive to animals.
Grass along runways is maintained between six and 12 inches tall. If grass grows too high, small mammals can nest there, which can attract larger predators and increase the risk of dangerous encounters with aircraft.
JAX has also modified parts of its landscape to remove wetlands near runways, reducing areas that attract birds.
When habitat management is not enough, airport crews use active deterrents, including air cannons and pyrotechnic launchers. The devices produce loud sounds designed to scare animals away from aircraft paths.
Federal Aviation Administration data shows wildlife strikes remain a widespread issue across Florida. Since 2023, there have been at least 120 reported bird or wildlife strikes involving aircraft in the state. Overall, more than 1,700 wildlife strikes have been recorded statewide.
There is no single wildlife mitigation plan used at every airport, Moran said. Each airport tailors its approach based on surrounding land and animal populations.
“Jacksonville is in a very rural area, so we have more wildlife compared to places like Newark or Reagan National,” she said.
Recent incidents highlight the potential danger. In November, a deer struck a small plane as it was landing at Flagler County Airport in Palm Coast. The instructor and pilot were not injured, but the deer was killed.
Airport officials say wildlife mitigation remains a critical part of aviation safety, especially during peak travel seasons when flight activity increases.