A plane was hit by a flock of pigeons while landing at Beijing Capital Airport on Monday evening but no one was injured, Beijing Morning Post reported today. (File Photo)

 

The plane was flying at a low speed and the collision didn't affect passengers, but nine pigeons were killed, the report said.

 

Administrators of the airport found rings attached to the dead birds' feet and confirmed the owner of the birds lived within three kilometers from the west runway.

 

Many residents near the airport are pigeon lovers and more than 100 pigeons fly in the path of airplanes every day. Pigeons are considered the top nuisance to aircraft among all birds, the report said.

 

To reduce the risk, the airport has used advanced equipment to drive the birds away from the area. Hundreds of nets have been set up alongside the runway. The new facility also has an electronics system to make 96 sounds that can also disturb the birds' sight. The sound of eagles can keep the timid birds from the airport.

 

The airport calls for rules to ban nearby residents from raising pigeons.

 

At least 147 flight accidents around the world have been caused by birds since 1990, causing 120 crashes. General Administration of Civil Aviation of China has no record of passengers being injured or killed due to planes colliding with birds thus far, the report said.

 

(Shanghai Daily June 21, 2007)