Iberia Pilot Bitten by Tarantula Mid-Flight on Journey from Dusseldorf to Madrid Leading to a Three-Hour Delay

In a bizarre mid-flight incident, a pilot was bitten by a tarantula during an Iberia Airlines flight, leading to an unexpected delay and fumigation of the plane.

The flight, which was traveling from Dusseldorf, Germany, to Madrid, Spain, was forced to stop for a three-hour delay after the pilot, who is allergic to spiders, was treated for his bite.

The Spider’s Unexpected Arrival on Board

The drama unfolded Friday afternoon when the Iberia Airbus A320, en route from Dusseldorf to Madrid’s Barajas Airport, encountered the spider mid-flight.

It’s believed the tarantula made its way onto the plane during a stopover earlier in the week in Casablanca, Morocco.

The plane’s arrival in Madrid saw immediate fumigation procedures to ensure the plane was free of any more surprises.

The Pilot’s Treatment and Delays

Upon landing, the pilot, who was reportedly allergic to spiders, was given medical treatment, including the anti-inflammatory drug Urbason (Methylprednisolone), which is commonly used to address severe allergic reactions and inflammation.

Iberia confirmed that the pilot was in good health and there were no long-term effects from the bite, although it’s unclear if he required further medical assistance after the incident.

Passengers Left Waiting in Madrid

After the plane was fumigated, passengers had to wait for over three hours before they could board the flight for its next leg to Vigo, Spain.

While some passengers were understandably shaken by the incident, others reportedly began checking their seats and the aisle for any remaining spiders, though the aircraft had been thoroughly treated.

Not the First Animal Incident on a Plane

This incident adds to a growing list of unusual in-flight animal encounters.

Last November, an Airbus A320 had to be grounded for five days after over 130 hamsters escaped their cages in the cargo hold.

The hamsters, part of a shipment for a pet store, caused a major disruption when baggage handlers discovered they had chewed through their cages.

Earlier, in January of the same year, a live snake caused panic on an AirAsia Thailand flight between Bangkok and Phuket.

A spotted python was discovered in an overhead bin, and the plane had to be diverted.

Similarly, a 2022 AirAsia incident in Malaysia saw another snake discovered slithering through the light fixtures of the plane.

Rare but Memorable In-Flight Incidents

Although animal-related incidents on flights are rare, they certainly make for unforgettable stories.

Airlines have stated that such events, while uncommon, can occur from time to time.

For now, Iberia has confirmed that their pilot is doing well, and the flight finally made its way to Vigo after the long delay.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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