On Saturday, 14 September, a Royal Air Maroc Embraer E190AR aircraft, registered as CN-RGO, experienced a bird strike while landing at Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) in Spain. The aircraft was operating flight AT972, which originated from Casablanca (CMN), when it collided with birds during its final approach to Runway 32L.
The impact resulted in significant damage to the nose radome and the weather radar antenna. The radome, located at the front of the aircraft, houses sensitive equipment such as the weather radar, which plays a crucial role in detecting weather patterns and turbulence during flight. The bird strike caused enough damage to these components that the aircraft required immediate inspection upon landing. Despite the severity of the incident, the pilots managed to execute a safe landing without any further complications.
Bird strikes are an ongoing challenge for aviation, especially during landing and takeoff phases when aircraft are flying at lower altitudes. Such incidents can cause significant damage to aircraft and even pose serious safety risks. In this case, the professionalism of the crew ensured that the aircraft and its passengers remained safe despite the damage.
Following the safe landing, the Embraer E190AR has been grounded at Madrid-Barajas Airport. The airline’s maintenance team is currently assessing the extent of the damage, with particular attention to the nose radome and weather radar antenna, to ensure the aircraft is fully repaired before it returns to service. Grounding the aircraft is a necessary precaution to avoid further complications, as flying with a damaged radar system could hinder the plane’s ability to navigate through weather conditions safely.
The flight from Casablanca to Madrid, which is typically a routine journey, turned into a complex situation due to the unexpected bird strike. Passengers disembarked safely after the landing, and there were no reported injuries. Royal Air Maroc has not yet provided a timeline for when the aircraft will return to service, as the airline is prioritizing safety inspections and repairs.
Bird strikes are relatively common in aviation, particularly around airports, and while most of them do not result in severe damage, incidents like this highlight the importance of continual vigilance and swift response. The event at Madrid-Barajas serves as a reminder of the potential risks posed by wildlife to aircraft and the ongoing efforts within the aviation industry to mitigate such risks through advanced radar systems and wildlife management at airports.