Aviation incident results in Iberia plane's return to Madrid due to bird collision - Iberia airline urged to make a comeback to Madrid city
In the skies above India, bird strikes are an increasingly common and concerning issue, particularly during takeoff and landing phases. According to recent data, the country experiences an average of three bird strikes per day, with a significant rise in incidents over the past few years—from 528 incidents in 2019 to 1,278 in 2024 [1]. Major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru report the highest numbers, with Bengaluru recording 343 incidents in the past 5.5 years, making it the most affected in South India [2].
To mitigate these risks, airports implement various safety measures. These include wildlife hazard management plans involving real-time monitoring of bird activity, the use of bird repellents and deterrents, rodent and habitat management near airports, and biological and chemical control methods. Public awareness campaigns on waste management are also employed to reduce bird attraction around airports [2].
In the realm of engine certification, commercial jet engines undergo stringent bird ingestion tests to ensure their ability to endure bird strikes without catastrophic failure. A recent incident involving an Iberia Airbus A321XLR serves as a stark reminder of this fact. The plane, which had been in service for only a few weeks, suffered engine damage from a bird ingestion shortly after takeoff, leading to an emergency landing but no injuries [3]. This incident underscores that while engines are designed and certified to withstand bird strikes to a degree, any damage detected requires immediate return for inspection and possible engine shutdown to maintain safety.
Despite robust certification standards and preventive efforts at airports, bird strikes remain a significant safety concern. On Sunday afternoon, an Iberia flight from Madrid to Paris was forced to return due to a collision with a large bird. Reports that the bird was a vulture were not confirmed by Iberia, but the collision resulted in damage to the front section and one of the plane's engines [4]. The flight had 182 passengers on board, and while some experienced anxious moments during the safe landing, Iberia confirmed that the passengers were never in danger [4].
Aviation industry jet engines undergo rigorous bird ingestion tests to ensure safe shutdown in case of failure. The front part of airplanes is made of light material to accommodate the weather radar, making it more susceptible to bird strikes. However, the structural integrity of the wing and the aircraft is taken into account during jet engine certification [5].
Airports use various measures to control wildlife to reduce their presence near runways. Madrid air traffic controller Juan Gómez stated that not all collisions involve large birds [6]. A video of the safe landing was posted on social media by musician Giancarlo Sandoval and viewed over 2.5 million times in less than a day [7].
In conclusion, while bird strikes remain a persistent challenge in aviation safety, continuous monitoring and management efforts are essential to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft. The aviation industry continues to invest in research and development to further mitigate this risk and ensure safe and efficient air travel.
[1] Indian Express [2] The Hindu [3] FlightGlobal [4] CNN [5] Airbus [6] Bloomberg [7] Twitter
- To bolster safety initiatives within the aviation community, it could be beneficial to employ vocational training programs for air traffic controllers and airport staff, focusing on wildlife hazard management, identification, and response to bird strikes.
- In addition to sports, promoting awareness campaigns about the importance of maintaining clean surroundings around airports and eliminating potential food sources for birds could help reduce the prevalence of bird strikes, enhancing overall aviation safety.
