PAF lost 11 aircraft to âbird strikesâ in 2006
Karachi
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF), in recent months, lost two fighter aircraft in the metropolis due to âbird strikeâ, causing great loss in terms of valuable national equipment. This was said by Air-Vice-Marshal, Rao Qamar Suleman, Air Officer Commanding, Southern Air Command on Wednesday during a briefing on âhazards associated with bird activities in the Karachi areaâ.
Air-Vice-Marshal Qamar also said that the pilots, luckily managed to divert the aircraft from the populated areas before ejecting safely and the main reason for these crashes was improper management of the waste disposal system in Karachi.
He stated that without the support and sincere efforts of the public, it would be very difficult to curb the bird menace and its associated hazards.
He also requested the public to stop throwing the waste indiscriminately and extend full support to PAF officials in fighting the menace of birds in the vicinity of the runways.
He informed the media that PAF lost 11 aircraft in 2006, a majority of which were Mirage fighter aircraft. He called on the City District Government Karachi to play its due role and the public to help and support the PAF by dumping garbage at the dumping centres, instead of dirtying airfirleds near the airports.
Furthermore, Qamar informed authorities about the dead bodies of animals that are found. The birds come to prey on these dead animals, he said. A documentary on âbird strikeâ was also shown to the media.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=55214