WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsWildlife vs Aircrafts in Chattanooga
Member Center:
Bernadette Jay
Eyewitness News Reporter
Reggie Coleman
Eyewitness News Photographer
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB)- Records obtained by Channel 3 Eyewitness News show that about once per week. There's an animal on a Chattanooga runway, potentially in the path of your next flight. The FAA requires all airports to have a wildlife management program in place-- to keep critters away from runways.
"If at any point in time we determine that it's an unsafe condition as a result of wildlife hazard, we will close the airport until we determine it is a safe condition" said Michael Landguth, CEO and president of the Chattanooga Airport.
For the past 8 years he's been the one to develop the wildlife program. Every single day-- 3 times a day the airport is patrolled for any wildlife hazards -- not just flocks of birds but deer.
"Deers you know they can weigh anywhere between 60 and 120 pounds imagine hitting something that weighs 120 pounds with your car" said Landguth.
Eyewitness News obtained the National Wildlife report for the Chattanooga airport from the past year. There where 44 reports of animals on the runway-- and no accidents. Employees use shell crackers to scare everything from morning doves to coyotes away.
"It kind of shoots a shotgun shell out but there is no bullet it just makes a loud noise. And they get alarmed and say I don't want to be in this area and they fly away" said Landguth.
On Friday, 24 hours after the Miracle on the Hudson, passengers in Chattanooga-- tell us they're not worried about any bird strikes.
"Realistically we fly so much it's not something that I think will happen. It's like winning the lottery, you never win the lottery or least I haven't myself so. Hopefully that won't happen to me" said Steve Newing, a Chattanooga passenger.
The FAA inspects the wildlife program once an year. According to their website, Wildlife strikes to an aircraft cause $600 million in damage each year.
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