A Ryanair aircraft experienced a terrifying incident last month when a broken engine part shattered a window shortly after takeoff in Greece, causing a passenger’s head to be sucked out of the plane before fellow passengers managed to pull him back inside, according to U.S. investigators’ findings on Thursday.
The incident, which occurred on July 10 after the flight left Thessaloniki, involved a fan blade in the Boeing 737-800’s right engine breaking loose. The fragments from the engine caused the window to break and damaged multiple areas of the fuselage, as detailed in a preliminary report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Greece handed over the investigation to the U.S. agency based on international aviation regulations.
The NTSB report suggested that the engine might have encountered bird strikes during takeoff, given the discovery of bird remains inside the engine. However, the exact cause of the fan blade detachment remains undetermined.
The passenger, a 61-year-old man, sustained neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns from the harrowing incident. Flight attendants reported hearing loud vibrations and observing smoke filling the cabin, prompting the deployment of emergency oxygen masks.
Witnesses described the chaos onboard, with passengers standing and seeking assistance as the man in a Row 11 window seat was partially sucked out of the damaged window. Quick action from other passengers prevented a more severe outcome, with the injured individual receiving medical attention from a doctor in Row 12.
Maintenance records indicated that the fan blades had passed ultrasonic inspections in May 2026 and November 2025 without any issues detected. However, flight crews had previously reported four suspected bird strikes on the same engine in the past year, leading to the discovery of bird remains after two incidents. Experts noted the importance of examining the inspection procedures and potential connections between the bird strikes and the engine failure.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary faced criticism from the NTSB for prematurely focusing on foreign object damage in his comments to investors, diverting attention from other possible factors. The agency emphasized that all angles were being investigated, and unauthorized discussions about the ongoing inquiry were inappropriate.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued directives in 2025 to enhance engine coverings on Boeing 737s following previous incidents of fan blade failures. These directives aimed to prevent engine debris from causing further damage or endangering passengers in the event of a failure. Despite the set deadline for modifications, the NTSB report revealed that the required enhancements had not yet been implemented on the Ryanair plane involved in the recent incident.
The FAA and NTSB are likely to reassess the deadline for these modifications in light of the latest accident, potentially accelerating the timeline for enhanced safety measures industry-wide. Both agencies are closely monitoring the situation and will take necessary actions based on the investigation’s findings.
The aircraft, a 737-800 capable of carrying up to 189 passengers, was delivered to Ryanair in 2008. Flight data indicated a rapid descent shortly after takeoff to reduce fuel levels before safely returning to Thessaloniki. The flight was operated by Malta Air, a subsidiary of Ryanair, and passengers were able to disembark safely after landing.