MADRID, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) — An Iberia Airbus A321 en route to Paris was forced to return to Madrid’s airport Sunday evening after striking a large bird shortly after takeoff.
Iberia confirmed the aircraft’s safe return. No injuries were reported. Passengers were transferred to a later flight to Paris the same evening.
The incident occurred just minutes into the flight to Orly Airport, when the aircraft collided with a large bird of prey, likely a vulture, over San Agustin del Guadalix.
The bird strike caused significant damage to the aircraft’s nose cone and one engine. The crew immediately declared an emergency and requested clearance to return.
The aircraft landed safely under emergency protocol. Firefighters inspected and sprayed the damaged engine to mitigate fire risk. Mobile phone footage from inside the cabin showed oxygen masks deployed and brief confusion among passengers.
Photos after landing showed the nose cone partially destroyed with visible damage to one engine.
