A Ryanair aircraft experienced a terrifying incident last month when broken engine parts caused a man’s head to be sucked out of a shattered window shortly after takeoff in Greece. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that a fan blade in the Boeing 737-800’s right engine broke loose, leading to fragments damaging the window and fuselage. The investigation was handed over to the NTSB by Greek authorities under international aviation regulations.
The occurrence took place on July 10 after the plane departed from Thessaloniki in northern Greece. Investigators discovered bird remnants inside the engine, suggesting a possible bird strike during takeoff as a contributing factor. The 61-year-old passenger whose head was pulled through the window sustained neck, shoulder injuries, and friction burns.
Flight attendants recounted hearing loud vibrations and observing smoke or fog in the cabin, prompting the release of emergency oxygen masks. Passengers in Row 11 noticed the man partially lodged in the damaged window and assisted in pulling him back into the cabin. Subsequently, the injured passenger received medical attention in Row 12, with fellow passengers using a metal box to block the opening until the plane could land safely.
Maintenance records indicated that the fan blades on the malfunctioning engine had undergone ultrasonic inspections in May 2026 and November 2025, revealing no damage. However, the NTSB noted that the engine had experienced four suspected bird strikes over the past year, with bird remains discovered after two instances. The agency plans to investigate the inspection procedures and the potential role of previous bird strikes in the incident.
Ryanair postponed further comments pending the completion of the NTSB investigation, while Boeing and CFM International, the engine manufacturer, pledged their cooperation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued directives in 2025 mandating enhancements to engine coverings on Boeing 737s to prevent catastrophic failures. The required modifications had not been implemented on the Ryanair plane by the deadline of July 2028, as outlined in the NTSB report.
The incident may prompt a reevaluation of the deadline for the engine covering upgrades, according to industry experts. The FAA refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation but assured its commitment to safety based on the evidence. The aircraft involved, a 737-800, was capable of accommodating up to 189 passengers and was delivered new to Ryanair in 2008. Operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary, the flight landed safely back in Thessaloniki following the ordeal.