Passenger’s Head Nearly Sucked Out of Ryanair Plane Window After Engine Malfunction
A man’s head was nearly sucked out of a window on a Ryanair plane in Greece due to broken engine parts just after takeoff last month, according to U.S. investigators. The incident involved a fan blade in the Boeing 737-800’s right engine breaking loose, leading to the window shattering and causing damage to the fuselage in multiple areas. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a preliminary investigation after Greece handed over the case under international aviation regulations.
Following the departure from Thessaloniki in northern Greece on July 10, evidence of bird remains inside the engine suggested a possible bird strike during takeoff, although the exact cause of the fan blade detachment remains undetermined. The 61-year-old passenger involved suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns as a result.
Witnesses, including flight attendants, reported hearing loud vibrations, witnessing smoke or fog in the cabin, and seeing emergency oxygen masks deploy. Passengers rallied to aid the man stuck in the damaged window, pulling him back inside the cabin. Medical assistance was provided to the injured passenger, who was eventually moved to another row for further care.
Maintenance records revealed that the failed fan blades underwent inspections in May 2026 and November 2025, showing no prior damage. However, four suspected bird strikes had been previously reported to the same engine by flight crews, with bird remains discovered after two incidents. The NTSB plans to further investigate the maintenance procedures and the potential role of past bird strikes in the recent engine malfunction.
Ryanair refrained from providing additional comments until the NTSB concludes its investigation, while Boeing and CFM International, the engine manufacturer, are cooperating with the ongoing inquiry. The FAA introduced directives in April 2025 mandating enhancements to engine coverings on Boeing 737s after previous fan blade failures resulted in engine covering fragments detaching. The deadline for implementing these modifications is July 2028, yet the required changes had not been made to the Ryanair aircraft involved in the recent incident.
The FAA and NTSB may reassess the deadline for these modifications in light of the latest accident. The FAA emphasized its commitment to supporting the NTSB and taking necessary safety actions based on the investigation’s findings. The Ryanair flight in question, operated by Malta Air, landed safely back in Thessaloniki after the incident.