A flight from Iberia destined for Paris returned to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport on Sunday after colliding with a large bird, causing serious damage to the front part of the aircraft. The immediate action of the crew and the activation of the relevant safety protocols allowed the plane to land without any injuries among the passengers.
The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday when the crew notified Spanish Air Traffic Controllers about the impact. In a message on their social media, they reported: "The crew of the flight departing from Madrid-Barajas to Paris informs us of an impact with a bird. They request to return to Barajas in an emergency."
Following the notification, the safety protocol was activated at the airport. The controllers prioritized the flight, facilitating its approach to runway 32L and mobilizing emergency services. After a successful landing, the plane was inspected by the firefighters
Through their social media profile, Spanish Air Traffic Controllers acknowledged the "great work of the crew" that prevented the incident from escalating. Despite the happy outcome, the atmosphere inside the cabin was extremely tense.
A passenger, Giancarlo Sandoval, recorded a video, later shared on his social media, showing the moments of anguish experienced by the passengers. "We all forcefully took out the oxygen masks because the cabin filled with smoke and we couldn't breathe," he confesses.