Pilot Bitten Mid-Flight by Spider Crew Members Claim Was Tarantula-like

It is suspected the spider may have boarded the plane during a layover in the Moroccan city of Casablanca on Tuesday, Feb. 18, days before its discovery

Airbus A320-214, Tarantula spider. Photo: JoanValls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty; Getty

An eight-legged stowaway caused major issues on a recent flight. On Friday, Feb. 21, Iberia Airbus A320 was traveling from Düsseldorf Airport in Germany en route to Barajas Airport in Madrid when the pilot was bitten by a spider mid-flight. When the flight arrived at its destination, the pilot, who is reportedly allergic to spiders, was treated with Methylprednisolone, an anti-inflammatory commonly used to treat swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions, according to local Spanish news outlet La Voz de Galicia. The pilot sustained no further injuries or reactions to the bite and was able to continue with his scheduled flights.

Before continuing to Vigo, its next Spanish destination, the aircraft was delayed for three hours in order to be fumigated. Following the safety protocol carried out by specialized personnel, the scheduled flight continued as normal. Though it was not confirmed if the spider was specifically a tarantula, members of the crew said they believed it to be at the time of the incident.

PHOTO: southerlycourse/Getty Stock Image

It is suspected that the spider may have boarded the plane during a layover in the Moroccan city of Casablanca on Tuesday, Feb. 18. While the exact creature on the plane was never officially identified, there is a tarantula — scientific name: Ischnocolus Valentinus — that is native to Morocco, Spain, Sicily, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Western Sahara. According to the plane's itinerary, after potentially joining the passengers in Casablanca, the spider would have visited Brussels, Belgium; Asturias, Spain; A Coruña, Spain; Zurich; Santiago, Spain; Madrid again, and Toulouse, France. Iberia Airlines did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. This is not the first time a flight has suffered delays due to an unexpected animal guest. In January 2024, just before takeoff at the Wellington Airport in New Zealand, a penguin was spotted on the runway by an Air Chatham pilot. “The pilot and passengers patiently waited while Wellington Airport staff raced out to collect and help the visitor," read the airport’s Instagram caption on the situation. The penguin was later returned to the Wellington Zoo where it received veterinarian care. While the penguin’s journey was awarded with a happy ending, there was likely a less joyous conclusion to the spider’s adventures. via. people