A Ryanair passenger was partially sucked out of a shattered window on a Boeing 737-800 flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, on Friday morning. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff when the window dislodged in-flight, according to Ryanair.
Passenger Pulled Back by Fellow Travelers
Local Greek media reported that the victim was a Serbian man in his 60s, whose head was sucked out of the window. Other passengers were able to pull him back into the cabin after several minutes. The window reportedly shattered when an engine part broke off.
Radio Thessaloniki obtained footage from inside the cabin showing the shattered window and deployed oxygen masks. The flight, operated by Malta Air (a Ryanair subsidiary), departed at 6:01 a.m. local time and turned around after about 22 minutes, according to Flightradar24. The aircraft then burned fuel at low altitude for roughly half an hour before landing one hour and 15 minutes after takeoff.
Ryanair Statement and Medical Assistance
Ryanair stated: "A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on Friday morning returned to Thessaloniki shortly after take-off when a passenger window dislodged in-flight. The aircraft landed normally, and passengers returned to the terminal. One passenger requested and received medical assistance on the ground in Thessaloniki."
A replacement aircraft departed Thessaloniki at 9:53 a.m. local time. The incident highlights rare but serious in-flight emergencies where structural failures can endanger passengers.
Common Causes of Engine Malfunctions
Plane engines typically fail due to fuel mismanagement, bird strikes, foreign debris, mechanical wear, manufacturing defects, or icing conditions. Less common causes include improper maintenance, volcanic ash, or human error during operation.
Emergency Procedures and Passenger Handling
During an in-flight emergency, the flight crew focuses on controlling the aircraft, evaluating the situation, and contacting ground control. They may declare an emergency and divert to the nearest suitable airport. After an emergency landing, passengers are evacuated onto the tarmac and guided to a safe holding area. If the aircraft is safe, baggage is recovered and returned; if damaged or under investigation, recovery may take days or weeks.
