Bird strikes

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Aviation Administration doesn't want travelers to know how often commercial planes are damaged by hitting birds.

Bird Strikes Info

The agency said that information is better kept secret, because otherwise some airlines and airports would stop reporting the incidents.

The agency's formal secrecy proposal came just after FAA officials had said they were going to release the huge database to The Associated Press in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

The AP requested the information after bird strikes were blamed for taking out both engines on the US Airways jet that ditched in the Hudson River in January.

A former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board called the secrecy move "a step backward." James Hall said "public awareness is an essential part of any strong safety program."

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Ya know, normally I am all for freedom of information. However in this case, I can't see what possible advantage could come from giving bird strike information to the general public... Most bird strikes don't lead to catastrophic or dangerous situations anyway.

The fact still stands that the airlines are by far the safest way to travel.

...but only because air travellers aren't affected by drive-by shootings

But the public does have a right to know.. Say Seattle has a high bird strike record I might go to portland instead.. If something happens and they keep that information it could result lawsuits..

Pfft, stupid choice

lol.. I know, I been at both.. I was just sayin