Correction of structured burst errors in data is provided by a system that includes an encoder and is configured for performing a method. The method includes receiving data that includes a plurality of subsets of data. The data is encoded by an encoder using a combination of a first error correcting code and a second error correcting code. The first error correcting code is configured to provide error recovery from a structured burst error in one of the subsets of data, the structured burst error having a length less than a specified maximum length. The second error correcting code is configured to extend the first error correcting code to provide error recovery from the structured burst error in any of the subsets of data. The encoded data is output.