An Air Europa Express Boeing 737-800, flight UX6079, experienced a bird strike on approach to runway 06L at Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) on Friday, May 8, 2026. The aircraft, registered EC-OBP, struck a bird during final approach, leading to a subsequent incident where it skidded off the runway during the rejected takeoff or go-around maneuver.
According to aviation safety records, the bird strike caused momentary loss of thrust on engines, prompting the crew to initiate a go-around. The severe impact with multiple birds, potentially up to 120 as reported in similar severe cases, resulted in the aircraft departing the runway. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Firefighters and technicians stood by immediately after the event. Flight operations at Son Sant Joan Airport faced brief restrictions, with some aircraft diverted until the situation normalized. A short-lived control-system fault was also noted by the pilots prior to touchdown in a related Madrid-Palma incident, though the primary event involved safe handling by the crew.
Airport authorities are reviewing bird strike statistics, radar monitoring, and habitat management to address recurring risks at PMI.