

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.

A woman finds her ex-boyfriend living in her attic 12 years after they broke up
Most people have heard of "things that go bump in the night," but for one South Carolina lady, that "thing" was her ex-boyfriend, whom she discovered living in her attic more than 12 years after they broke up.

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.

The story of a boy who claims to be on Mars: Boriska Kipriyanovich
Boriska Kipriyanovich, who lives in Volgograd, Russia, claims he lived on Mars before being resurrected on Earth on a mission to redeem humanity. What we know about him is as follows:

Mysterious ghost ship found with mummified captain inside [SOLVED]
German captain had been sailing the world for 20 years. It was unknown when or how he died or how long the ghost ship had been adrift

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.

How a Canadian Man Traded a Red Paperclip for a Two-Story Farmhouse
In 2005, Canadian blogger and entrepreneur Kyle MacDonald embarked on an extraordinary journey that captured the world’s imagination. Starting with nothing more than a single red paperclip, Kyle pursued a year-long chain of strategic trades that escalated from small, quirky items to a two-story farmhouse in a small town in Saskatchewan. What began as a playful social experiment became a legendary story of creativity, perseverance, and the power of barter in the digital age.

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.

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 Google Maps Discovery: the Mystery of William Moldt's Disappearance
In 2019, Google Maps helped solve the decades-old mystery of William Moldt, who disappeared in 1997. A former resident spotted his submerged car in a retention pond while using Google Earth. The vehicle, visible since 2007, contained Moldt's skeletal remains, providing closure to his case.

The Bizarre (And Magical) Duel Between Chung Ling Soo And Ching Ling Foo
Ching Ling Foo and Chung Ling Soo were two magicians from the early 20th century who were bitter rivals. While Ching Ling Foo was genuinely Chinese, Chung Ling Soo was actually a New Yorker named William Robinson.

Domestic Flight Delay Caused by Live Snake on Board Leaves Passengers in Shock
A domestic flight was unexpectedly delayed for nearly two hours after a snake was discovered slithering inside the plane’s cargo hold. Thanks to the swift efforts of a professional snake catcher and airline staff, the reptile was safely removed without any harm to passengers, turning a potentially alarming situation into a story of caution and calm.

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.

[solved] “macaroni mystery”, 500 pounds of pasta dumped in new jersey
In April 2023, Old Bridge, New Jersey, faced a peculiar 'Macaroni Mystery' when 500 pounds of pasta were mysteriously dumped in the woods.

Poto And Cabengo: The Secret Language Of Twins
Poto and Cabengo, as the two girls called each other, communicated in their own language. The twins were ignored by their parents and secluded from the outside world because their father felt they were developmentally retarded, and their unique language evolved as a result of that neglect.

A one-eyed Vancouver fish receives a fake eye so that other fish will not bully him
A fish whose eye was removed due to cataract was bullied by other fish at the Vancouver Aquarium. So the vets fitted the fish with a prosthetic eye to fool the other fishes.

Khuk Khi Kai: Thailand’s Infamous “Chicken Poop Prison” and Its Gruesome Legacy
Thailand used to have a prison called "Khuk Khi Kai," or "Chicken poop prison." The first floor of the prison contained prisoners, and the second floor was a large chicken coop. The grated floor ensured that prisoners were constantly subjected to chicken poop.

Brazilian Man with Rare ‘Upside Down’ Condition Becomes Successful Accountant and Speaker
Born in Brazil with the rare and debilitating condition congenital arthrogryposis, which caused his head to be positioned upside down, this man was once written off by doctors who urged his mother to let him starve. Defying grim predictions, he overcame immense challenges to become a successful accountant and a powerful international motivational speaker, inspiring millions worldwide.

Recipient of suicide victim's heart kills himself 12 years later
In 1995, Sonny Graham received a transplanted heart from a suicide victim. He then committed suicide in the very same manner as the donor.

Story of Peng Shuilin: Man with only half a body
We have a habit of whining in our daily lives. We never seem to be pleased with the things we have in life. "I want to be skinny," fat people say, "I want to be fat," slim people say. Poor people aspire to be wealthy, and wealthy people are never satisfied with their status. Everywhere we go, we're whining. Can you image how a man would want to live if he didn't have any legs or bums at all?

Lucy and Maria The Biracial Twin Sisters with Rare Black and White Skin Colours
Lucy and Maria Aylmer are twins, but they have a hard time to convincing people. Even though they have mixed-raced parents, their mom was still shocked when the midwife handed her babies she’d expected to look alike, but were complete opposite.

A man who has been suffering from headaches for nearly six months discovers chopsticks lodged in his brain
When it was discovered that a Vietnamese man with headaches and vision problems had chopsticks lodged in his brain, the doctors were almost as surprised as the man himself.

Preserving Bodies in a Deep Freeze Await Revival
There are currently hundreds of deceased people in the U.S., including baseball legend Ted Williams, whose bodies are frozen in liquid nitrogen in hopes that future technology will be able to revive them.

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.

Frank Lentini, The Three-Legged Sideshow Performer
Francesco Lentini was a man with three legs, four feet, sixteen toes, and two sets of functional male genitals. He worked for the circus and lived to be 78 years old.