A pilot with a severe spider allergy had a harrowing experience mid-flight when he was bitten by a hidden tarantula, causing hours-long delays as the plane had to be fumigated after landing safely. The incident took place on an Iberia Airbus A320 traveling from Dusseldorf, Germany, to Madrid, Spain, on Friday.
According to reports from the New York Post and Canarian Weekly, the pilot suffered a severe allergic reaction after being unexpectedly bitten by the arachnid. The crew quickly administered Urbason, a corticosteroid, from the flight’s first aid kit to treat the pilot’s reaction. Despite the alarming situation, the plane managed to land safely in Madrid, and all passengers were able to disembark without any issues.
Once on the ground, specialist teams at Madrid Airport fumigated the aircraft to eliminate the eight-legged stowaway. It is believed that the tarantula may have entered the plane via luggage from a previous flight between Madrid and Casablanca, Morocco.
Fortunately, the pilot did not suffer any lasting health effects and is said to be doing well. However, the fumigation process caused a delay of approximately three hours for the plane’s next scheduled flight from Madrid to Vigo. Initially, passengers were told the delay was due to maintenance issues, but they were eventually informed about the real reason for the holdup.
Many passengers were understandably uneasy and took precautions by inspecting their seats and luggage for any lingering arachnids. Despite the initial discomfort, the flight to Vigo eventually departed and landed safely around midnight local time, with no further tarantula sightings reported.
This unusual incident serves as a reminder of the unexpected challenges that can arise during air travel and the importance of being prepared for any situation. The safety and well-being of passengers and crew are always the top priority, and in this case, quick thinking and proper medical treatment ensured a positive outcome despite the frightening circumstances.
