Culprit in MiG-21 crash was buzzard

Scientists at the Bombay Natural History BNHS identified the buzzard, from remains of flesh and feathers taken from the wreckage of the MiG. The remains were brought to Mumbai by a team of Indian Air Force IAF officials last week.

BNHS officials told this newspaper that the issue of bird hits on IAF aircraft was a matter of great concern as it affected all IAF aircraft in the country. A survey of 428 bird hits between 1980-88 as part of the BNHS8217; Bird Hazard Survey revealed that 76 per cent of them were IAF fighter aircraft.

After this eight-year project, the BNHS submitted its report to the Ministry of Defence recommending several safety measures be taken around Indian aerodromes to keep birds away. These included cutting of grass, the removal of slums and abbatoirs flanking airports.