Passengers on a Ryanair flight experienced a terrifying incident when a broken fan blade in the right engine caused a window to shatter shortly after takeoff in Greece last month. The man seated nearest to the window was partially sucked out before fellow passengers managed to pull him back inside. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report detailing the event which occurred on July 10 after the aircraft left Thessaloniki.
Investigations revealed that bird remains were found inside the engine, suggesting a possible bird strike during takeoff as a contributing factor to the incident. The 61-year-old passenger involved suffered injuries to his neck, shoulder, and friction burns. Flight attendants reported hearing loud vibrations, observing smoke or fog in the cabin, and noticing the emergency oxygen masks deployed.
Passengers inside the cabin were seen wearing oxygen masks as the cabin lost pressure, and videos taken onboard showed the chaotic scene. Maintenance records indicated that the failed fan blades had undergone inspections in May 2026 and November 2025, with no prior damage detected. However, the NTSB highlighted previous bird strike incidents reported by flight crews, raising questions about the inspections’ effectiveness.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary received criticism from the NTSB for prematurely discussing the investigation’s focus on foreign object damage rather than considering other potential causes. The FAA issued directives last year mandating enhancements to engine coverings on Boeing 737s to prevent incidents similar to this one, with a deadline set for July 2028 for airlines to complete the modifications.
Ryanair, Boeing, and CFM International are cooperating with the ongoing investigation. The FAA declined to comment on potential safety actions, emphasizing its support for the NTSB’s findings. The incident involved a 737-800 aircraft operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary, and all passengers safely returned to the terminal after the emergency landing.