PSA: The time a duck tried to build a nest in a 737's engine intake in Boise

We were doing a pre-flight walkaround on a clear morning last spring. I looked into the left engine intake and saw a full mallard duck, just sitting there on a pile of twigs and grass. The bird looked at me, I looked at it, and my captain just started laughing. We had to call the wildlife guys, who gently shooed it out with a long pole. Has anyone else had a wild animal try to claim a plane as its new home?

3 comments

3 Comments

simona7717d ago

Heard about a fox den in an A320's wheel well once.

lisa74918d ago

We had a family of squirrels set up shop in the wheel well of a Cessna 172 at our local airfield. The mechanic used a shop vac with a long hose attachment on low suction to gently pull out the nesting material. It took forever because we had to be so careful not to hurt them, but it got all the leaves and acorns out without any drama. The key was going slow and keeping the noise down so the mama squirrel didn't panic. After that, we started using those bright orange intake and exhaust covers religiously, even for overnight parking.

michaelk2318d ago

Ever wonder if squirrels have a favorite plane model? I swear they go for the 172 like it's a five star treehouse, maybe it's the cozy landing gear bays. Our club's old Cherokee had the same issue until we got those mesh covers for everything.

-1