Iberia Flight 1456
| Industry | Airline |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1927 |
| Headquarters | Madrid , Spain |
Area served | Domestic and international flights |
| Products | Air transport services |
| Website | www |
Iberia Flight 1456 was a scheduled domestic service operating between Barcelona-El Prat Airport and Bilbao Airport in Spain. On February 7, 2001, the Airbus A320 encountered wind shear caused by a microburst during its final approach, resulting in the collapse of the landing gear. All 143 passengers and crew survived; among them, 24 sustained minor injuries and one individual suffered a serious injury. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and subsequently retired, representing the ninth total loss of an Airbus A320 at that point. This event led Airbus to implement a fail-safe update to its flight control software designed to inhibit stall protection activation triggered by sudden angle of attack fluctuations.
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was an Airbus A320-200, manufacturer serial number 1278, registered as EC-HKJ. Built for Iberia in 2000, it conducted its maiden flight the same year. At the time of the incident, it had accumulated 1,149 flight hours over 869 cycles and was equipped with two CFM56-5B4/P engines.
Flight crew
The captain was a 42-year-old Spanish pilot holding an airline transport pilot license with 10,805 total flight hours and certified for Airbus A320 IFR operations. The first officer, aged 27, possessed a commercial pilot license with 2,670 flight hours and was also qualified for IFR operations on the A320. Additionally, a 24-year-old trainee pilot with 423 flight hours and a commercial pilot license was present in the cockpit under supervision during the flight.
Cabin crew
Four flight attendants were on board during the operation.
Accident
On February 7, 2001, the Airbus A320 departed from Barcelona-El Prat Airport. The journey proceeded normally until the final approach phase at Bilbao Airport when a microburst-induced wind shear was encountered. The flight crew attempted a go-around maneuver; however, the aircraft did not respond as expected, causing the landing gear to collapse upon landing. An emergency evacuation was conducted successfully with all 143 occupants surviving. Among them, 25 individuals were injured—one seriously—and seven passengers required hospitalization. The three pilots escaped without injury. Due to extensive damage, the aircraft was declared a total loss, marking the ninth hull loss involving an Airbus A320.
Additional damage
The runway suffered minor damage from the hard touchdown, including breakage of two runway edge lights.
Investigation
The Civil Aviation Accident and Incident Investigation Commission (CIAIAC) carried out an investigation lasting five years and nine months. Their findings indicated that activation of the angle of attack protection system—triggered by a combination of vertical gusts, wind shear conditions, and simultaneous sidestick inputs—prevented adequate pitch-up and flare during landing.
Aftermath
As a result of this accident, Airbus revised its flight control software to block stall protection from engaging due to rapid changes in angle of attack. Following the incident, CIAIAC issued four safety recommendations aimed at enhancing aviation safety.