Panic on a flight to Madrid. Pilot bit by... a tarantula

The pilot, aware of his allergy to spider bites, immediately notified the crew of the incident. The crew's response was lightning fast. The captain was given a dose of Urbason, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid commonly used to treat severe allergic reactions. Thanks to this, the pilot was able to maintain control of the plane and ensure a safe landing at Madrid Airport.

According to Spanish daily La Voz de Galicia, the spider most likely boarded the plane during a previous stopover in Casablanca, Morocco. The plane then landed in several European cities, including Brussels, Zurich and Toulouse, before arriving in Düsseldorf. It is possible that the spider traveled with luggage or cargo, bypassing standard security checks.

Flight delayed three hours

After landing, strict safety procedures were implemented. A specialized team carried out a comprehensive fumigation [control of pests using chemicals in the form of smoke, steam or gas — ed.] of the cabin and cargo bay to eliminate the possible presence of other arachnids.

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This operation caused a three-hour delay to the next flight, originally scheduled for Vigo. Waiting passengers were informed of the situation and asked to wait until disinfection procedures were completed.

This isn’t the first time an in-flight incident involving animals has occurred. In November 2004, a flight in the Azores was grounded for five days after more than 130 hamsters escaped from cages in the cargo hold, preventing takeoff until they were recaptured. Similarly, in January 2024, a snake was discovered in the cargo hold of a domestic flight in Thailand, causing panic among passengers.

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(Source: Le Figaro)