Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: Wildlife Strikes

2,180 reported strikes · 155 damaging · 1990–2026

📍 Washington, US · 38.852, -77.038

Species struck most often

  • Gulls161
  • Ring-billed gull104
  • Osprey72
  • American kestrel64
  • European starling59
  • Mourning dove52
  • Canada goose39
  • Chimney swift37

Notable strikes

  • 2016-05-24 · EMB-170 · Great blue heron · Substantial

    Reported a bird strike on departure and lost #1 engine. Declared an emergency and returned to dca. Landed without incident. Throttle was reduced for remainder of flight after running through emergency checklists. Engine fan blade damage requiring engin

  • 2024-04-20 · A-321 · Osprey · Substantial

    Delta Airlines Maintenance notified Airport Operations that DAL850 struck a large bird on a 400 final approach to RWY01. The pilot stated that he was certain that they struck an osprey. Passengers reported seeing "flames shoot out of the engine". The…

Source: FAA National Wildlife Strike Database · United States Government public domain.