Broken engine components caused a window on a Ryanair aircraft to shatter shortly after takeoff in Greece last month, leading to a passenger’s head being pulled towards the opening before being rescued by fellow passengers, as per U.S. investigators on Thursday.
The incident involved a fan blade in the right engine of the Boeing 737-800 breaking loose, resulting in fragments damaging the window and fuselage in multiple areas, according to a preliminary report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The investigation was transferred to the U.S. agency by Greece in accordance with international aviation regulations.
On July 10, the mishap occurred after the aircraft departed from Thessaloniki in northern Greece. Investigators discovered bird remnants inside the engine, indicating a possible bird strike during takeoff, although the specific cause of the fan blade detachment remains undetermined.
The 61-year-old passenger whose head was nearly sucked out of the window sustained neck, shoulder injuries, and friction burns. Flight attendants reported hearing loud vibrations, observing smoke or fog in the cabin, and witnessing the release of emergency oxygen masks.
Passengers assisted in pulling the affected individual back inside the cabin and provided initial medical aid. Videos captured inside the plane depicted passengers utilizing oxygen masks due to pressure loss, the damaged window, and emergency response post-landing.
Maintenance records indicate that the fan blades in the failed engine underwent ultrasonic inspections in May 2026 and November 2025, revealing no damages. However, the NTSB noted four previous suspected bird strikes on the same engine over the past year, with bird remains found after two incidents.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary received criticism from the NTSB for prematurely focusing on foreign object damage in his public statements about the incident. The agency emphasized that all potential causes are under investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued directives in 2025 mandating enhancements to engine coverings on Boeing 737s to prevent similar incidents. These modifications were scheduled for completion by July 2028, with the Ryanair aircraft involved in the recent event yet to receive the required changes.
Experts suggest that the recent occurrence may prompt a reassessment of the modification deadline to enhance aviation safety standards. Both Boeing and CFM International are cooperating with the investigation, while the FAA refrained from commenting on the ongoing inquiry.
The aircraft involved, a 737-800 operated by Malta Air, a subsidiary of Ryanair, was delivered new to the airline in 2008. Following the incident, the plane safely landed back in Thessaloniki, with passengers disembarking without further issues.
