Air TransportIberia A321XLR Returns to Madrid After Bird Strike Forces Emergency Landing
An Airbus A321XLR (registration EC-OOJ) operated by Iberia was forced to return to Madrid-Barajas Airport on Sunday morning after a bird strike caused significant damage to the aircraft’s radome. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff at around 10:00 AM local time while operating flight IB579 to Paris Orly.
According to reports, the aircraft collided with a large bird—likely a vulture—causing visible structural damage to the nose cone, which houses the weather radar. The crew received a cockpit alert indicating a potential fire in one of the engines, leading them to declare an emergency and return to the airport under priority landing clearance.
The aircraft landed safely on runway 32L approximately 30 minutes after departure. Emergency services were on standby, but no fire was confirmed and there were no injuries reported among the passengers or crew.
The EC-OOJ is Iberia’s fourth A321XLR, delivered on June 30, and is the newest aircraft in the airline’s fleet. It is part of a batch of eight jets ordered by IAG Group to modernize its medium- and long-haul operations.
The A321XLR offers extended range capabilities of up to 4,700 nautical miles (approximately 8,700 km), making it ideal for thinner long-haul routes previously operated by widebody aircraft.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of advanced aircraft to wildlife hazards, especially during takeoff and landing phases. While the A321XLR features state-of-the-art navigation and safety systems, bird strikes remain a serious operational concern for airlines worldwide.
Iberia has not confirmed how long the aircraft will remain grounded, but the nose section and radar equipment will likely require significant inspection and repair. The airline is expected to rotate another XLR into service to minimize disruption.
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