Bloodied pilot keeps cool after bird slams into cockpit: video

June 15, 2023

This pilot couldn’t be ruffled.

Terrifying video caught Ecuadorian aviator Ariel Valiente keeping his cool after a massive bird smashed into his cockpit.

The bird is seen dangling in front of him as he holds the stick before turning the camera to show his bloodied face with his air filter mask hanging to the side.

“In Vinces, Los Ríos province of Ecuador, a huge bird struck through the windshield of a crop duster plane mid-air. Fortunately, the pilot Ariel Valiente managed to control the situation,” aviation news outlet FL360aero said on Twitter.

A self-described semi-retired flight instructor wrote: “When in a stressful situation, pilots will revert to the first thing they learned. That’s why initial training is so important.”

Bloodied Ecuadorian pilot Ariel Valiente — Ecuadorian pilot Ariel Valiente was bloodied after a giant bird smashed into his cockpit but remained cool.

Pilot holds stick with bird dangling — The poised aviator kept a grip on the stick as the bird dangled in front of him.

Pilots are taught to adhere to the axiom “aviate, navigate, communicate” – to first fly the plane, then navigate and finally to speak with air-traffic control when the emergency is under control.

It was unclear what kind of bird was involved in the frightening incident, but some people suggested it may have been an Andean Condor, which can have a wingspan of up to 9 feet.

The video of the horrifying encounter quickly went viral.