Man Was Almost Sucked Out of Plane After Engine Part Shattered Window, Report Finds

A shocking incident occurred on a Ryanair flight on July 10 when a malfunction in one of the aircraft’s engines led to a serious situation for a passenger. The Boeing 737, which was en route from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to mechanical failure. Reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicate that a fractured engine fan blade caused significant damage, resulting in the shattering of a cabin window.

Ljubisa Karović, a 61-year-old passenger, found himself in a perilous position after the window next to his seat broke. Witnesses reported seeing Karović partially lodged headfirst through the opening, prompting immediate concern among fellow passengers and crew members. According to his lawyer, Karović was thrust out of the aircraft from the chest upwards and subsequently lost consciousness as a result of the incident.

The preliminary findings of the NTSB reveal that a flight attendant was alerted to the chaos when passengers began requesting assistance for Karović. The flight crew, alongside other passengers, managed to pull him back into the cabin, where he received urgent medical attention from a doctor on board. He was moved one row behind to ensure he was safe and provided with a first aid kit.

Details from the investigation indicate that just over seven minutes into the flight, the pilots of the Boeing 737 received a warning signal regarding unusually high engine vibrations. Shortly thereafter, an alarming noise was heard as one of the engine components failed. The NTSB’s report mentioned that fragments from the No. 2 engine, a CFM-56 model, struck the aircraft’s fuselage and led to the shattering of the cabin window next to Karović’s seat.

An assessment of the engine’s fractured fan blade uncovered signs of fatigue, indicating that the blade had been weakening over time, particularly near its trailing edge. Interestingly, remains of bird matter were also identified in the engine, although it remains unclear if a bird strike contributed to the incident.

At the time of the incident, the aircraft was flying at approximately 16,000 feet within Greek airspace. The Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation assigned the NTSB to lead the inquiry, with Greece participating as an accredited representative in the investigation.

Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, previously downplayed the severity of the situation in comments made shortly after the event, dismissing claims that a passenger was “halfway out the window” as sensationalist. O’Leary indicated that initial assessments suggested that “foreign object damage” to the engine may have occurred, contradicting the NTSB’s ongoing investigation.

In a critical response, NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy expressed concern over O’Leary’s comments, which she deemed inappropriate given that the investigation was still underway. She pointed out that individuals involved in the NTSB’s inquiry are prohibited from making public statements regarding the cause of such incidents until the investigation concludes. Her letter emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the investigative process.

As the investigation continues, the NTSB has indicated that thorough probes of this nature typically take between one and two years to complete. Ryanair has said that it will refrain from making further comments until the investigation reaches its conclusion.

This incident raises serious safety concerns about the operational integrity of older aircraft models, particularly in regard to engine maintenance and oversight. The findings from the ongoing investigation will likely have implications for operational procedures in the aviation industry moving forward.

The passengers who experienced the terrifying moments aboard the flight are undoubtedly grateful for the quick actions of the crew and other passengers, which ultimately helped to avert what could have been a tragic outcome.