19-6-2023 (QUITO) A shocking video has emerged online, capturing the terrifying moment a bird crashed through the windshield of an aircraft, leaving the pilot covered in blood. The gruesome footage reveals the bird, its lower body hanging into the cockpit as gusts of wind whip around.
The individual in the video, dressed as a fighter pilot, was actually flying a Thrush 510P, a crop-spraying aircraft. He is believed to be Captain Ariel Valiente from Ecuador, South America.
At one harrowing moment in the video, the pilot turns the camera towards himself, revealing blood streaming down his face. It remains unclear whether the blood belongs to Captain Valiente or the bird.
Experts suggest that the bird involved in the incident may be an Andean Condor, known for its impressive wingspan exceeding three meters.
???? Ekvador’un Los Ríos Eyaleti’nde, Ariel Valiente adlı pilot, uçağının ön camına büyük bir kuş çarpmasının ardından güvenli bir şekilde uçağını indirdi. pic.twitter.com/MGQ0QtSnvV
— Conflict (@ConflictTR) June 15, 2023
The video is reported to have been filmed in Vinces, Los Ríos Province.
Despite the ordeal, the skilled pilot managed to safely land the plane and emerged uninjured. Unfortunately, the bird did not survive the incident. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has highlighted that many pilots are unaware of the potential for significant damage resulting from collisions with soft-feathered birds.
According to EASA guidelines, if the windshield is compromised, pilots should reduce airspeed to minimize pressure on the damaged area.
