Pilot Recovers After Spider Bite During Flight

An unsettling incident unfolded on a flight from Düsseldorf to Madrid when a pilot was bitten by a spider mid-air. The flight crew swiftly treated him with a medication in the cockpit as a precaution. Fortunately, the pilot was unharmed. However, the species of spider responsible remains unknown, as the creature was not found.

The unnerving event occurred aboard an Iberia flight, and following reports by the newspaper “La Vanguardia,” the airline confirmed the episode. As soon as the incident happened, the crew provided the pilot with the drug Urbason to prevent any potential reactions, the Spanish airline informed the German Press Agency. The pilot emerged from the ordeal unscathed, successfully landing the airplane without any issues and reportedly resumed duties the following day as if nothing had transpired.

Initial claims that the pilot had an allergy to spider bites were unverified. Contrary to some media reports suggesting a tarantula was involved, Iberia stressed that the spider’s species has not been identified since the creature evaded capture.

Upon arrival in Madrid, the aircraft underwent immediate disinfection, which led to a brief delay of a subsequent flight to Vigo. However, this precautionary measure was the only disruption, and passengers remained blissfully unaware of the peculiar yet non-threatening incident.

“La Vanguardia” speculated that the spider possibly entered the aircraft during a layover in Casablanca, Morocco, the previous Tuesday. This theory, however, has yet to receive official confirmation.