Salt Lake City airport giving pilots obstacles to deal with
November 14, 2011, 07:55 pm
A privately owned Lear jet recently aborted takeoff from the Salt Lake City International Airport, and skidded off the runway to come to a rest partially tilted with one wing touching the ground.
KSL News Radio Utah reported the plane's left main gear, or the wheel under the left wing, collapsed, bringing the pilot, five passengers and two crew members in harms way, but no one sustained injuries.
Pilot insurance can protect individuals from technical mishaps such as this, as well as external problems that the pilot cannot control. ABC 4 Salt Lake City reported that two nights in a row, small planes have called in an emergency with the Salt Lake tower at the airport, when birds were struck during a final approach.
The source reported that small planes have been hitting hawks and other birds as they are landing, causing damage to the plane's body, the windshield, the wing and putting passengers at risk. Birds will fly in front of the plane at the last minute and get sucked into the engine. This can significantly alter landing patterns and result in injury and plane damage.
According to the FAA, between August 2010 and August 2011, the Salt Lake airport has reported 140 birds struck by planes, and staff have caught more than 300 birds in 2011. Staff have taken to scaring off the obstacles to prevent further problems or damage to landing planes.
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