When the Sky Rained Fish: An Unbelievable Encounter Above Alaska
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.
Max Headroom Incident: America’s Creepiest TV Hack
In 1987 a man hijacked a television station during an episode of Dr. Who and wore a Max Headroom mask and uttered nonsense, and he still hasn’t been caught
Pierre Brassau: The chimpanzee painter who deceived the avant-garde world
Abstract paintings by a previously unknown artist “Pierre Brassau” were exhibited at a gallery in Sweden, earning praise for his “powerful brushstrokes” and the “delicacy of a ballet dancer”. None knew that Pierre Brassau was actually a 4 year old chimp from the local zoo.
The story of Bill Haast, who lived to be 100 despite his extensive snake venom injections
Bill Haast immunized himself by injecting snake venom into his blood for several years. He holds the Guinness World Record for surviving the most lethal snake bites, having been bitten over 172 times. Bill became known as "Snake Man" around the world and lived for over 100 years.
Why This Belgian Bar Makes You Trade Your Shoe for a Beer
To prevent tourists from stealing their beer glasses, some bars in Belgium require people to hand over one of their shoes as a deposit which is then put in a basket and hung from the ceiling. These shoe baskets have also become an attraction.
Mill Ends Park, the Smallest Park in the World
Portland, Oregon is home to the tiniest park in the world, a two-foot-diameter circle. Mill End Park is the name of this park.
This Thai Wedding Tradition Happens 40 Feet Underwater
Each year in Trang, Thailand, dozens of couples participate in an underwater wedding ceremony while scuba diving in full gear. The ritual symbolizes deep love and has become a quirky tourist attraction held around Valentine’s Day.
Why the Brooklyn Bridge Was Once Crossed by 17 Camels and 21 Elephants
On May 30, 1883, a rumor that the Brooklyn Bridge was going to collapse caused a stampede, which killed at least at twleve people. To prove the bridge was safe, P.T. Barnum led a parade of 21 elephants over it.
The mysterious Pumpkin impaled on the top of Tower
Twenty Three years ago, somebody impaled a 60-pound pumpkin 170 off the ground on this spire at Cornell University. Nobody knows who did this or how they did it.
Inspirational Journey of Billy Owen From Cancer Patient to Zombie Actor
A man called Billy Owen lost an eye and half of his face to cancer and used it to start a career as a zombie actor.
Vakil Batirshin’s Story: How Radiation Exposure Caused Severe Lymph Node Swelling
This is Vakil Batirshin, a man whose severe swelling from enlarged lymph nodes was reportedly caused by radioactive exposure. His condition highlights the devastating and long-term health effects radiation can inflict on the human body—often surfacing years after initial contact. Cases like his underscore the importance of nuclear safety and medical support.
The Astonishing Case of Sanju Bhagat: Living with a Twin Inside Him for 36 Years
Sanju Bhagat, an Indian farmer, lived with an undiagnosed parasitic twin inside his abdomen for 36 years. In 1999, doctors discovered the twin during surgery. This rare condition, fetus in fetu, occurs when a malformed twin is absorbed during pregnancy, surviving within the host sibling's body.
Nevada’s Fly Geyser Is A Surreal Wonder That Looks Like Its On Another Planet
In 1964, an energy company accidentally created Nevada’s Fly Geyser after drilling into a geothermal pocket. Since then, the geyser has been releasing algae-filled scalding water five feet in the air, depositing minerals and forming a cone that sports vibrant hues of green and red.
Bruce Campbell converted a Boeing 727-200 into a home
In 1999, a man bought a Boeing 727-200 for $100,000 and uses it as his house, then spent another $120,000 moving it from the Hillsboro airport and setting it up on his undeveloped property.
The Mystery of Canada's Magical Spotted Lake
Lake Khiluk, the world's most mineralized lake, and one of the most mysterious places on Earth. Each of these spots has a distinct chemical content and is said to cure various diseases.
The Miracle Baby: Nigerian Couple in the UK Welcomes a Rare Blonde, Blue-Eyed Child
A black, Nigerian couple living in the U.K. gave birth to a white, blonde, blue-eyed baby that they call the "miracle baby."
Mystery SOLVED: blood Rain in India
The dissemination of spores of microalgae has been identified as the origin of the 'Blood Rain' phenomena, according to a new study by Indian and Austrian experts. Since 1896, reports of intermittent red-colored rain in portions of Kerala and Sri Lanka have been coming in. The most recent one occurred in 2013 over Kerala.
Kim Peek: The Real Rain Man Who Memorized 12,000 Books
Kim Peek wasn’t just a man with an extraordinary memory—he was a megasavant whose astonishing ability to recall the contents of over 12,000 books inspired the iconic character Raymond Babbitt in the film Rain Man. Able to read two pages at once, scanning one with each eye, Peek could memorize an entire book in about an hour. Despite his phenomenal talents, he faced developmental challenges and lived a unique life that changed perceptions about human potential and cognitive diversity. This article explores the remarkable story of Kim Peek, his capabilities, and the legacy he left behind.
The true story of Josephine Myrtle Corbin, the lady born with four legs and two private parts
Josephine Myrtle Corbin, an American sideshow performer born in 1868, had a rare condition known as dipygus, which caused her to have four legs, each smaller inner leg paired with one of her outer legs. Corbin joined the sideshow circuit, captivating audiences as the "Four-Legged Girl from Texas."
Brazilian gang leader attempts to escape from Rio de Janeiro prison by dressing up as his daughter
In 2019, a Brazilian gang leader tried to escape from prison by dressing up as his daughter when she visited him behind bars and walking out of the penitentiary's main door in her place.
Atomic Tourism: In the 1950s, nuclear tests in Las Vegas served as a draw for tourists
Between 1950 and 1960, Las Vegas offered “Atomic Tourism” in which guests could watch atomic bombs being tested in the desert as a form of entertainment.
The Story of the Hidden Flight Simulator Game in Microsoft Excel 97
Before smartphones ruled hidden gaming, Microsoft slipped an extraordinary secret into one of its flagship office programs: a fully functional flight simulator game inside Excel 97. This little-known Easter egg captivated users who discovered a way to pilot a plane through the grid-like interface. Explore how this unexpected feature was created, the tech magic behind it, and why it remains a legendary piece of software lore.
Thousands of Rare "Ice Eggs" Blanket Finnish Beach in Spectacular Natural Phenomenon
Thousands of ice balls recently covered a beach in Finland, a rare phenomenon caused by wind and waves sculpting pieces of ice into smooth spheres. These "ice eggs" can vary in size from chicken eggs to soccer balls and have also been spotted in other cold regions globally.
In Pakistan, this banyan tree has been arrested since 1898
In Pakistan, a tree has been arrested and chained since 1898. When a British officer who was drunk assumed it was leaving its place, it was arrested. The tree, which is presently located on the grounds of the Pakistan Army's Landi Kotal cantonment, continues to attract visitors and locals everywhere.
The “Walking” Palm, tree species can walk up to 65 feet each
This tree species can walk up to 65 feet each year to find the best habitat to live in.
The story of Lionel the Lion-Faced Man, Stephan Bibrowski
Stephen Bibrowski, also known as Lionel the Lion-faced Man, was a well-known sideshow entertainer. His entire body was covered in long hair, giving him the appearance of a lion; this was most likely due to a rare condition known as hypertrichosis. Lionel traveled to the United States in 1901 and began performing with the Barnum and Bailey Circus.
