A shocking incident involving a Ryanair flight has raised serious safety concerns, following claims by a passenger that he was partially ejected from an aircraft window mid-flight. The event occurred on July 10, during a journey from Greece to Germany, involving 61-year-old Serbian national Ljubisa Karović. His account has since been met with a firm denial from the airline’s CEO, Michael O’Leary.
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According to Karović, he was headfirst drawn towards and almost out of the dislodged window before losing consciousness due to cabin pressure loss. In support of his claims, Karović’s lawyer, Vasilis Tsiaras, reported that the passenger was hurled from the chest up and described a chaotic scene, with Ryanair’s crew and fellow passengers helping to pull him back into the cabin. Notably, witnesses have corroborated Karović’s account, asserting they saw him partially exit the Boeing 737’s window.
During a recent press conference, O’Leary contested Karović’s assertions, suggesting that no part of the passenger’s body had exited the aircraft. He stated that the passenger was “sucked in very dramatic circumstances towards the window,” but implied that the situation was not as severe as depicted. O’Leary went further to dismiss the assertion made by Karović’s wife, who claimed to have saved her husband by holding onto his feet, as “somewhat delusional,” given her distance from the incident.
Despite the dispute over the details, O’Leary acknowledged that Karović had sustained injuries; however, he assured the public that the passenger would not receive excessive compensation. “He won’t be getting millions and millions,” O’Leary remarked, underscoring Ryanair’s intention to rigorously contest the circumstances of the incident.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently conducting an investigation into the incident. Their preliminary report indicated that the No. 2 engine of the aircraft suffered a fan blade separation, resulting in debris colliding with the fuselage and damaging the row 11 window. Images released by the NTSB show that the impact left visible damage to the right side of the plane’s structure, with a dent also noted near row 8.
According to the NTSB’s findings, other passengers and crew members acted swiftly to assist Karović after realising he was lodged in the damaged window. He was promptly relocated and received medical attention from a doctor aboard the flight. The quick response of those involved may have prevented more serious consequences.
O’Leary’s initial comments downplaying the incident have been met with criticism. Following his public remarks, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy expressed her concerns in a letter, emphasising that such statements interfere with ongoing investigations. She noted that representatives and technical advisers are not permitted to discuss or speculate on potential causes while inquiries are underway.
As the investigation remains active, officials suggest that similar probes typically last between one to two years. This incident has raised significant questions about aviation safety protocols, particularly after a dramatic event that led a passenger to allege they were almost ejected from the aircraft.
With the investigation pending and the airline determined to challenge the passenger’s account, further developments are expected. The airline industry will be closely monitoring the situation, as it may have implications for regulatory scrutiny and passenger safety measures moving forward.