Broken engine parts caused a Ryanair plane’s window to shatter during takeoff in Greece last month, leading to a passenger’s head being sucked out before being pulled back in by fellow passengers, as reported by U.S. investigators on Thursday.
A fan blade in the right engine of the Boeing 737-800 broke loose, resulting in fragments damaging the window and fuselage, according to a preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The incident occurred on July 10 after the aircraft took off from Thessaloniki in northern Greece. Investigators discovered bird remains inside the engine, indicating a potential 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 along with friction burns as a result.
Flight attendants reported loud vibrations, smoke, and cabin pressure loss before the deployment of emergency oxygen masks. Passengers in Row 11 noticed the man stuck in the damaged window and acted swiftly to assist him, moving him to Row 12 for medical attention. They also improvised a barrier using a metal box until the plane landed.
Videos captured inside the plane showed passengers using oxygen masks due to the pressure drop, with one clip revealing the blown-out window and first responders in action after landing.
Maintenance records indicated that the failed fan blades had undergone inspections in May 2026 and November 2025, with no prior damage detected. However, the NTSB noted four suspected bird strikes on the same engine in the past year, with bird remains found after two incidents.
NTSB reprimanded Ryanair’s CEO for premature comments on the investigation focus, emphasizing ongoing inquiries. Ryanair, Boeing, and CFM International are cooperating with the investigation, following FAA directives issued to reinforce engine coverings on Boeing 737s after previous incidents.
The FAA granted airlines until July 2028 to complete required modifications, a deadline unmet by the Ryanair aircraft involved in the recent incident. The FAA may reevaluate deadlines considering the latest event’s implications.
The 737-800 involved had a seating capacity of up to 189 passengers and was delivered new to Ryanair in 2008. Operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary, the flight successfully landed back in Thessaloniki after the incident, with passengers returning safely to the terminal.