On August 3, an Iberia Airbus A321XLR operating a flight to Paris was forced to return to Madrid after experiencing a significant bird strike during its climb out from the Spanish capital. The aircraft landed safely back at its origin airport. Photographs taken after landing show that the plane sustained considerable damage as a result of the incident.
A bird strike occurs when birds collide with an aircraft, often causing damage and sometimes leading to emergency procedures or diversions. In this case, the crew made the decision to return immediately to ensure passenger safety and allow for inspection of the aircraft.
There were no reports of injuries among passengers or crew following the event. The airline is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and assess any necessary repairs before returning the aircraft to service.