Bird Strike & Rejected Take-Off
advancedUS phraseologyA bird strike on the take-off roll forces a reject: aviate first, then tell the tower you are stopping, request to inspect the aircraft and vacate, and decide whether a precautionary PAN is warranted. US phraseology, N-registration callsign discipline.
Briefing
You are departing Centennial (KAPA) in Cessna Five Seven Four Tango Papa, cleared for take-off on runway one seven left. On the take-off roll, at low speed, a large bird strikes the windshield with a loud bang. You elect to reject.
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- Exchange 1
You have decided to reject the take-off. Fly the aircraft first, then tell the tower you are stopping on the runway.
💡 In a rejected take-off the order is aviate, then communicate: stop the aircraft safely first, THEN a brief "stopping" tells the tower you are staying on the ground so they can protect the runway. Never keep the frequency waiting before the aircraft is under control.
- Exchange 2
ATC: “Cessna Four Tango Papa, roger, are you able to taxi clear of the runway?”
You have stopped safely. Tell the tower you need to taxi clear of the runway to inspect the aircraft for damage.
💡 Once stopped, get off the active runway. State your intention clearly — taxi clear to inspect — so the tower can sequence other traffic and, if needed, roll the emergency vehicles.
- Exchange 3
ATC: “Cessna Four Tango Papa, say souls on board and do you require assistance?”
There is no fire and no injury, but you want the fire crews on standby as a precaution. This is an urgency, not a distress — make a PAN call, state persons on board (two) and request fire services to stand by.
💡 Choose the level that matches the risk. No fire and no injury but wanting the fire crews positioned is an urgency, so PAN PAN — not MAYDAY. Declaring the correct category gets the right response without over-committing the airport's emergency resources.
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