Gillespie Field Airport: Wildlife Strikes
59 reported strikes · 13 damaging · 1998–2026
📍 San Diego/El Cajon, US · 32.826, -116.972
Species struck most often
- Rock pigeon9
- Mourning dove5
- Red-tailed hawk4
- Cliff swallow3
- Horned lark3
- American kestrel3
- American crow2
- White-throated swift1
Notable strikes
- 2026-04-15 · LIGHT-SPORT · Red-tailed hawk · Substantial
Broken windshield right side. Cut on arm of passenger in the left seat, approximately 2 inches in length. Passenger sent to urgent care due to potential medical concerns and turning pale. SECOND REPORT: Broken windshield right side. Cut on arm of passenger in…
- 2025-12-03 · PA-30 TWIN COMANCHE · Western/Clark's grebe complex · Substantial
It was dark night conditions. I was on short final to 27R at about 500’ AGL and had just selected full flaps when I heard and felt a “thunk”. I wondered if my flap linkage had broken. Upon doing my post-flight walk-around inspection, I saw the impact point of…
Source: FAA National Wildlife Strike Database · United States Government public domain.