- On Jul 10, a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki experienced a catastrophic incident shortly after takeoff when a fan blade broke off, shattering a window and partially sucking a passenger out of the aircraft.
- Passengers managed to pull the injured man back inside the aircraft, and oxygen masks deployed as the cabin lost pressure, prompting the plane to lose altitude and return to Thessaloniki.
- The NTSB took over the investigation from Greek authorities, releasing a preliminary report on Aug 13 that detailed the findings.
- The NTSB's report revealed fan blade separation, fatigue cracking, and bird remains found in the engine, indicating a possible bird strike during takeoff.
- The NTSB reprimanded Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary for making unauthorized comments regarding the investigation's focus.
- The 61-year-old passenger who was nearly sucked out suffered significant injuries, including neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns.
- The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, was delivered to Ryanair in 2008 and had undergone a fan blade inspection less than three weeks prior to the incident.
- The flight was operated by Malta Air, a subsidiary of Ryanair, and was returning to Thessaloniki about an hour after takeoff.
The NTSB's investigation into a Ryanair flight incident reveals alarming safety issues.5
On July 10, shortly after takeoff from Thessaloniki, a fan blade from the right engine of a Boeing 737-800 broke off, causing a window to shatter and partially sucking 61-year-old Ljubisa Karovic out of the aircraft.121011
The NTSB reported that oxygen masks deployed as the cabin lost pressure, leading to panic among passengers. Karovic suffered significant injuries, including neck and shoulder damage, before being pulled back inside by fellow travelers.34
Witnesses described a loud bang, likening it to a tire bursting, followed by a rapid loss of altitude. “We knew straight away we lost pressure because we lost altitude,” said a passenger identified as Christina.
The NTSB's findings included fatigue cracking on the broken fan blade and bird remains in the engine, indicating a possible bird strike during takeoff. Four suspected bird strikes had been reported in the year prior, although no damage was noted at those times.67
The report contradicts statements made by Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, who downplayed the incident's severity. “Some of the more salacious reports that one passenger was halfway out the window... Nobody was out any window,” he claimed. The NTSB reprimanded O'Leary for his comments, emphasizing that ongoing investigations prohibit such statements.8
The incident raises serious questions about aircraft safety and maintenance protocols, particularly for older models like the 18-year-old Boeing 737-8AS involved in this incident.
“The 61-year-old passenger, Ljubisa Karovic, suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns before being pulled back inside. The NTSB reprimanded Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary for unauthorized comments, saying his statements violated international rules.”
