A Ryanair flight made an emergency landing on July 10, 2026, after a passenger window dislodged shortly after takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece, partially sucking a 61-year-old male passenger out of the aircraft.
Why it matters: This incident raises serious concerns about aircraft safety and engineering integrity, particularly following an uncontained engine failure that led to the window dislodging.
The passenger's wife heroically held onto his feet to prevent him from being completely sucked out of the plane.
The passenger is currently hospitalized in the ICU, suffering from neck and shoulder injuries as well as friction burns.
The plane returned safely to Thessaloniki after the incident, but the event has sparked an investigation into the cause.
Driving the news: Shortly after takeoff, the Ryanair Boeing 737-800 experienced an uncontained engine failure. Engine parts struck the fuselage, leading to a broken passenger window.
The aircraft declared an emergency, with oxygen masks deploying in the cabin as it began to lose altitude.
The flight, operated by Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air, was headed to Memmingen, Germany.
Passengers reported hearing a loud bang before the cabin lost pressure, resulting in panic among those on board.
State of play: The aircraft was delivered new to Ryanair in 2008 and can accommodate up to 189 passengers.
After the emergency landing, passengers disembarked normally, and a replacement aircraft was arranged to continue the flight to Germany.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now involved, having been notified of the incident.
Greek authorities are collaborating with Ryanair's chief pilot and safety department to investigate the incident.
The big picture: Similar incidents have occurred in aviation history, raising alarms about safety protocols and aircraft maintenance.
This event echoes a 2018 incident involving a Southwest Airlines flight where a passenger was killed after being partially sucked out of a window due to an engine explosion.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded by mandating inspections of similar aircraft following that incident.
As investigations proceed, the focus will be on whether the passenger was wearing a seatbelt when the window shattered.
What they're saying: Eyewitness accounts highlight the chaos that ensued during the emergency.
One passenger described the noise as akin to a bursting tire, stating, "We knew straight away we lost pressure because we lost altitude. Screams, shrieks, shouting."
A Greek hospital official confirmed that the injured passenger is being treated for serious injuries but did not disclose their identity.
Ryanair stated that the aircraft landed normally and that all passengers returned to the terminal without major issues.
By the numbers: Here are some key statistics related to the incident.
The flight departed Thessaloniki and climbed past 15,000 feet before descending to about 6,000 feet to burn fuel.
The emergency landing occurred approximately an hour after takeoff.
The Boeing 737-800 involved was delivered to Ryanair in 2008, making it 18 years old.
What's next: Investigations will determine the cause of the engine failure and subsequent window dislodgement.
The Republic of North Macedonia will lead the investigation under the provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization's Annex 13.
Ryanair is expected to cooperate fully with investigators and provide necessary documentation.
Passengers who were affected may seek answers and accountability from the airline as the investigation progresses.