A Ryanair plane experienced a terrifying incident last month in Greece when engine parts malfunctioned just after takeoff, leading to a man’s head being drawn towards a shattered window before fellow passengers managed to pull him back inside, as per U.S. investigators’ findings shared on Thursday.
The initial report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that a fan blade from the Boeing 737-800’s right engine dislodged, causing fragments to break the window and cause damage to the fuselage in multiple areas. Greece transferred the investigation to the U.S. agency in accordance with international aviation regulations.
The episode occurred on July 10 following the departure from Thessaloniki in northern Greece. Investigative evidence suggested the presence of bird remains in the engine, indicating a possible bird strike during takeoff. However, the exact reason for the fan blade detachment remains undetermined.
The 61-year-old passenger whose head was pulled towards the broken window sustained neck and shoulder injuries along with friction burns. Flight attendants reported hearing loud vibrations and witnessing smoke or fog in the cabin, prompting the release of emergency oxygen masks.
Passengers took swift action to assist the injured individual, with some using a metal box to block the opening until the plane could safely land. Videos captured inside the aircraft depicted passengers wearing oxygen masks due to pressure loss in the cabin and showed the aftermath of the incident.
Maintenance records indicated that the fan blades in the malfunctioning engine had undergone ultrasonic inspections in May 2026 and November 2025, revealing no damage. Notably, the NTSB mentioned that the engine had experienced four suspected bird strikes in the past year, with bird remains discovered after two incidents.
Ryanair, Boeing, and CFM International are cooperating with the NTSB investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) previously issued directives to reinforce engine coverings on Boeing 737s to prevent similar incidents after previous fan blade failures.
The FAA gave airlines until July 2028 to complete the necessary modifications, but the report noted that the required changes had not been implemented on the Ryanair aircraft involved in the recent incident. The latest occurrence may prompt regulatory bodies to reassess the deadline for these safety measures.
Ryanair and Malta Air, the operator of the flight, have refrained from further comments until the investigation concludes. The flight, which returned safely to Thessaloniki after the incident, was operated by Ryanair’s subsidiary, Malta Air.