Overview

• The Airbus A321XLR, registration EC-OOJ, halted its ascent at 6,500 feet and diverted back to Madrid after colliding with a bird shortly after departure.
• The strike compromised the nose radome and weather radar antenna, prompting inspectors to examine critical avionics components.
• No crew or passenger injuries were reported, but Iberia cancelled the flight to Paris-Orly pending repairs.
• Eyewitness and passenger videos of the damaged aircraft have spread widely on social media, fueling scrutiny of bird strike risks.
• The event underscores challenges for the long-range A321XLR model and pressures airport wildlife management programs to adapt.