What happened
On March 12, 2016, a Boeing 737-80 and registration LN-NHG, operated by Norwegian, was on approach to runway 13 at Malaga Airport, Spain. While descending through approximately 7,000 ft, the flight crew identified an object ahead that they initially mistook for a bird. Upon closer inspection, they realized it was a paraglider flying in the vicinity of the aircraft's flight path.
To prevent a mid-air collision, the pilot in command immediately executed a right turn with a 30-degree bank angle. The paraglider also turned right, passing within approximately 100 meters of the aircraft's left wing. The crew reported the presence of the paraglider to approach control at an altitude of 6,800 ft. Following the maneuver, the crew continued the descent and landed the aircraft safely on runway 13 with no injuries and no damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation utilized radar data from ENAIRE to reconstruct the aircraft's flight path, confirming that the aircraft's heading changed from 173 to 191 degrees during the encounter. Because the paraglider was too small to be detected by radar, its exact position was determined through the testimony of the flight crew.
Investigators also consulted the Andalusian Air Sports Federation, which noted that while there were no authorized competitions in the area that weekend, the Valle de Abdalajís is a popular site for foreign pilots who may be unaware of local flight restrictions. Furthermore, records from AENA indicated that airport officials had previously sent multiple warnings to local authorities regarding the risks posed by unauthorized paragliding and paramotor activity within the Malaga Airport control zone.