On an Iberia Airbus A320 flight from Düsseldorf, Germany, to Madrid, Spain, a pilot with a severe spider allergy was bitten by a stowaway tarantula mid-flight. The incident caused hours of delays after the plane landed safely.
Pilot Suffered an Allergic Reaction During Flight
According to Canarian Weekly, the incident occurred on Friday. The pilot was quickly treated with Urbasón, a corticosteroid medication from the onboard first aid kit. Despite the severe allergic reaction, the plane landed smoothly in Madrid, and passengers were safely evacuated.
Plane Fumigated at Madrid Airport
Specialized teams at Madrid Airport fumigated the plane to eliminate the tarantula. Authorities suspect the spider entered the aircraft through luggage during a previous flight between Madrid and Casablanca, Morocco.
Hours-Long Delay Ensued
The fumigation process delayed the next flight from Madrid to Vigo by approximately three hours. Airline officials initially attributed the delay to maintenance issues before disclosing the true cause to passengers.
Passengers thoroughly checked their seats and belongings for any signs of spiders before boarding. Iberia Airlines confirmed that the pilot was in good health and had not suffered any lasting health issues.
