In brief
During a flight from Greece to Germany, a fan blade tore loose and crashed into the cabin, punching a hole in a window and pulling a passenger’s head and shoulder out. The crew managed to return safely to Thessaloniki and landed without further incidents. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, with Greek authorities deferring responsibility. Officials suspect a foreign object caused the engine failure. The incident highlights the importance of engine inspection and emergency training.
On 10 July a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen lost part of an engine fan blade just after take‑off. The fragment burst into the cabin, smashing a window of the forward seat and pulling a passenger’s head and right shoulder out of the hole. The man, Ljubisa Karović, was left seriously injured and shocked.
Crew members heard a high‑vibration alarm, cut power, and performed checks before continuing. When vibrations increased and a loud bang sounded, the pilots declared an emergency and descended, eventually returning to Thessaloniki and landing safely.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken full responsibility for the investigation after a delegation from the Greek authorities. The incident may have been caused by foreign‑object damage, a theory echoed by Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary.
The aircraft, operated by Ryanair’s Malta Air subsidiary, had undergone routine ultrasonic inspections in May, which found no faults. Passengers and crew held Karović’s legs for minutes and deployed oxygen masks after smoke appeared.
More on the story: ‘If we die, we die together’ – Wife of man nearly sucked out speaks of ordeal.
