Gillespie Field Airport: Wildlife Strikes
57 reported strikes · 12 damaging · 1998–2026
📍 San Diego/El Cajon, US · 32.826, -116.972
Species struck most often
- Rock pigeon9
- Mourning dove5
- Cliff swallow3
- Horned lark3
- American kestrel3
- Red-tailed hawk3
- American crow1
- White-throated swift1
Notable strikes
- 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.