Bird Strike Forces Emergency Return
A dramatic incident unfolded in the skies over Madrid when a brand-new Iberia Airbus A321XLR was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff. The aircraft had just departed from Madrid-Barajas Airport on a scheduled flight to Paris when it collided with a bird—identified as a vulture—causing serious damage.
Mid-Air Collision at 2,100 Meters
The aircraft took off around 6:30 p.m. local time with more than 180 passengers on board. Just minutes into the climb, at an altitude of approximately 2,100 meters (6,900 feet), the bird struck the aircraft’s nose. Moments later, the vulture was partially sucked into the plane’s left engine, resulting in visible external damage. The aircraft’s captain, Iván Castro Palacios, shared images of the damaged nose cone and engine on the social media platform X.
Pilots Act Quickly to Ensure Safety
After the impact, the flight crew immediately declared an emergency and aborted the climb. The jet circled briefly at low altitude while preparing for a safe return to the departure airport. Within 25 minutes of takeoff, the plane landed safely back at Madrid-Barajas. Emergency services were on standby and accompanied the aircraft during landing. Fortunately, all passengers disembarked safely using mobile stairs, and no injuries were reported.
Aircraft Taken Out of Service for Inspection
Following the incident, the Airbus A321XLR was grounded and removed from service for a thorough technical inspection and necessary repairs. The aircraft, which represents the latest in long-range single-aisle jet technology, will remain out of operation until fully cleared by Iberia’s maintenance team.
Witness Reports and Passenger Rebooking
According to Mallorca Zeitung, several passengers reported a burning smell in the cabin during the tense moments in the air, although no smoke was visible. Once safely on the ground, Iberia rebooked affected passengers onto alternative flights to Paris.