Broken engine components caused a window to shatter on a Ryanair aircraft just after takeoff in Greece last month, leading to a passenger’s head being pulled out before being rescued by fellow travelers, according to U.S. investigators on Thursday.
The incident involved a fan blade detaching from the right engine of the Boeing 737-800, resulting in fragments damaging the window and fuselage, as indicated by a preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Upon the plane’s departure from Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10, investigators discovered bird remnants inside the engine, hinting at a potential bird strike during takeoff. However, the cause of the fan blade detachment remains undetermined.
The 61-year-old passenger, whose head was partially sucked out of the broken window, sustained neck, shoulder injuries, and friction burns. The flight crew reported hearing loud vibrations, seeing smoke, and experiencing pressure loss in the cabin, prompting the deployment of emergency oxygen masks.
Videos taken on board showed passengers using oxygen masks following the pressure drop, with one clip revealing the man near the blown-out window wearing an oxygen mask. First responders were seen attending to passengers after the aircraft landed safely.
Maintenance records indicated that the failed engine’s fan blades underwent inspections in May 2026 and November 2025, revealing no damage. However, four suspected bird strikes were reported by flight crews on the same engine within the past year, with bird remains discovered on two occasions.
Ryanair announced it would refrain from further comments until the NTSB concludes its investigation, with Boeing and CFM International, the engine manufacturer, providing assistance.
Following previous fan blade failures on Boeing 737s, the FAA issued directives in 2025 to enhance engine coverings to prevent detached parts from causing harm. The required modifications had not been completed on the Ryanair plane by the deadline of July 2028, as outlined in the NTSB report.
In light of the recent incident, the FAA and NTSB may revisit the deadline for these modifications, potentially accelerating the process to enhance aviation safety standards. The FAA declined to comment further, emphasizing its commitment to supporting the NTSB and ensuring necessary safety measures are taken.
The Ryanair flight involved in the incident, operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary, was delivered in 2008 and can accommodate up to 189 passengers. After the emergency, the aircraft safely returned to Thessaloniki, and passengers disembarked without further complications.