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.
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.
The 1814 London beer flood
In 1814, there was a beer flood in London when a tank containing more than 300,000 gallons ruptured in which 8 people drowned.
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.
Jack the Baboon operated a railroad, earned a living, and never made a mistake
A baboon worked as a signalman for the railroad in the late 1800s. He never made a mistake and worked for the railroad until the day he died.
This Yogi Spent 76 Years Without Eating or Drinking Anything and Confirmed by
Prahlad Jani, the starving monk who lived 76 Years without food and water.
Upside-Down Fig Tree From The Roof Of An Ancient Ruin in Italy
There is an upside-down fig tree in Bacoli, Italy. No one is quite sure how the fig tree ended up there or how it survived, but year after year, it continues to grow downwards and bear figs.
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.
Belgian Woman Banned from Zoo After 4-Year Affair with Chimpanzee
A Belgian woman was banned from the zoo after having an affair with a chimp.
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.
the world from someone predicting 2000 from a guy in 1910
Villemard, a French artist, illustrated how he imagined the future would be in the year 2000 in 1910.
The Heartbreaking Story Of Ella Harper, The ‘Camel Girl’
Ella Harper, Professionally known as the “Camel Girl” was born with a rare orthopedic condition that cased her knee to bend backward. Due to this condition, had to walked on all four legs, which resulted in her nickname as “Camel Girl”. Tough it was hard at first, but soon she made a fortune out of it.
The Story of Tsutomu Yamaguchi: The Man Who Survived Both Atomic Bombs
Tsutomu Yamaguchi’s story is one of astonishing survival and resilience. In August 1945, while on a business trip in Hiroshima, he endured the catastrophic atomic bombing and, unbelievably, survived to return to his home city of Nagasaki—only to face a second atomic attack days later. Officially recognized as the only person to survive both bombings, Yamaguchi’s life is a powerful testament to human courage, hope, and the devastating impact of nuclear warfare.
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.
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.
![[solved] “macaroni mystery”, 500 pounds of pasta dumped in new jersey](https://weeklyrecess.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Macaroni-Mystery-cover.jpg)
[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.
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.
Chocolate Rain in Switzerland: How a Factory Malfunction Turned Olten Into a Sweet Spectacle
In 2020, chocolate 'rained' from the sky in a town in Switzerland. This incident was caused by a ventilation system malfunction at a chocolate factory in Olten. Strong winds then carried the snow-like cocoa powder and spread it around in the immediate vicinity of the factory, covering cars and other things in chocolate.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Poland's Krzywy: The Mysteries of the Crooked trees
In Poland, there is a forest with 400 crooked trees that have a 90-degree bend at the base of their trunks. Despite of numerous possibilities, the real reason and how it evolved remain a mystery.
