When pilots talk about “bird strikes,” they usually mean a bird colliding with a plane—sometimes with dangerous consequences. But in 2023, a small plane in Alaska encountered a far stranger aerial hazard: it was struck not by a bird, but by a falling fish.
Yes, a flying fish—well, sort of.
The bizarre event unfolded near Homer, Alaska, and involved a bald eagle, a midair slip, and an unlucky fish that became a projectile. While no damage was done to the aircraft, the incident quickly made headlines as possibly the weirdest bird strike in aviation history.
What Happened?
On August 4, 2023, a Cessna 208 Caravan was flying over the Kenai Peninsula near the coastal town of Homer. The plane was operated by a regional air service and was on a routine flight when the pilot suddenly heard a loud thump.
Assuming it was a bird strike—a not uncommon hazard in Alaska, where bald eagles and seagulls are plentiful—the pilot checked the aircraft systems and safely completed the flight. Upon landing, ground crew members inspected the plane and found something unexpected:
A fish lodged near the wing root.
But how does a fish end up falling from the sky at thousands of feet?
The most plausible—and later confirmed—explanation was that a bald eagle flying overhead had lost its grip on a freshly caught fish, dropping it directly onto the aircraft.
An Eagle’s Mistake
Bald eagles are known for their keen eyesight and powerful talons. They’re apex aerial predators and are particularly common in Alaska, where fish like salmon and herring are abundant.
Eagles often snatch fish straight from rivers, lakes, or even the ocean, carrying them long distances to their nests or preferred feeding spots. But those talons aren’t infallible. If a fish struggles, or if the eagle encounters turbulence or another bird, it might accidentally drop its catch mid-flight.
According to a report from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, such “fish drops” do occasionally happen—but hitting a moving plane? That’s practically unheard of.
This time, the eagle’s slippery talons turned an average fish into a high-velocity missile.
Bird Strikes Are Common—Fish Strikes Are Not
Bird strikes are a serious concern for aviation safety. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), over 14,000 bird strikes are reported annually in the United States. These incidents can cause anything from minor dents to catastrophic engine failure.
But a fish strike? That’s a different story.
FAA records contain only a handful of similar cases—most of them anecdotal or involving fish dropped on airfields, not actually in midair. This Alaskan incident stands out because it involves a confirmed impact on a flying aircraft from an animal that wasn’t flying itself.
To the best of available records, this may be the first confirmed midair fish strike involving an eagle.
No Damage, Just a Good Laugh
Despite the odd circumstances, the plane sustained no serious damage. The fish—believed to be a Pacific cod or small salmon—was less fortunate. Its remains were collected for inspection and, naturally, a few photos.
Pilots and ground crew took the incident in stride. The air service involved (which has not been publicly named) released a short statement confirming the unusual strike, adding with humor:
“We’ve seen birds. We’ve seen hail. But this is a first. The fish did not survive. The plane did.”
Social media quickly picked up on the story, with aviation forums and wildlife pages calling it “the most Alaskan thing ever.”
Trivia Time: Did You Know?
🦅 Trivia Fact #1: Bald eagles have a grip strength of around 400 pounds per square inch—stronger than most dogs. Still, slippery fish and strong winds can sometimes cause them to drop their prey.
✈️ Trivia Fact #2: The FAA does not (yet) have a category for “fish strikes,” but incidents involving animals other than birds (like bats and deer) do get tracked under a separate “wildlife strike” classification.
🎣 Trivia Fact #3: In 2015, a fish dropped by an osprey hit a parked car in Canada, damaging the windshield. That incident, too, made local news as one of the strangest “acts of nature” involving animals and vehicles.
A Strange but Harmless Reminder
While the story is undeniably odd—and perhaps even funny—it’s also a reminder of how unpredictable nature can be. Alaska’s unique environment, with its abundant wildlife and rugged skies, creates opportunities for rare and remarkable interactions.
This fish strike also highlights the precision involved in flying, even in rural regions. The fact that a bird could accidentally drop a fish that then perfectly intersects with a moving aircraft is both bizarre and statistically improbable. Yet, it happened.
It also serves as a quirky reminder to pilots flying in eagle territory to keep an eye out—not just for birds, but for anything they might be carrying.
Similar Incidents Around the World
While rare, this isn’t the only time something unexpected has fallen from the sky:
- In 2018, a man in Thailand reported a fish falling through his roof, presumed to have been dropped by a bird.
- In 2022, a baseball game in Maine was briefly halted when a bird dropped a trout onto the field.
- There are even historic legends, like the rain of frogs and fish in Honduras, tied to rare meteorological events.
While those cases may involve exaggeration or unusual weather, the Alaskan fish strike is well-documented, making it one of the most bizarre but true incidents in aviation history.
Conclusion: The World’s Weirdest Bird Strike
In a world full of serious aviation incidents, it’s almost refreshing to hear a story that ends with no injuries—just laughter and a good tale to tell.
The Alaskan flying fish strike of 2023 will likely go down as a legendary piece of aviation trivia. A bald eagle, a lost lunch, and a plane in the wrong place at the wrong time created one of the most unexpected midair encounters ever recorded.
So next time you’re flying over the wilds of Alaska, keep your eyes peeled—not just for birds, but for falling fish. After all, you never know what the sky might drop next.
