Ljubiša Karović, a 61-year-old Serbian man, was partially sucked through a broken window on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen, Germany, after engine debris struck the cabin. The incident occurred on Friday morning, forcing the plane to return to Greece.
Wife Holds Passenger as Others Help
Karović's wife, Svetlana Grković, held onto his legs for five minutes while he remained partially outside the aircraft. Fellow passengers eventually helped pull him back inside. A passenger told Informer: "His wife Svetlana Grković held his legs for five full minutes, until the other passengers ran to help and managed to pull him back into the cabin."
Engine Emergency Triggers Window Break
The flight took off at 5:55 am from Greece. Over North Macedonia, the pilot noticed an engine problem and decided to return to Thessaloniki. During descent, a part of the damaged engine detached and struck a cabin window, causing Karović to be partially sucked out due to pressure. His seatbelt also helped prevent him from being fully ejected.
Passengers Describe Terrifying Scene
Witnesses reported that the captain repeatedly shouted "emergency" after the window smashed, and oxygen masks deployed. The plane was at approximately 20,000 feet when a loud bang was heard. Karović's head and shoulders were dragged outside. A passenger named Christina told Radio Thessaloniki that his body was almost up to his shoulders outside, and his wife was among those holding him by his feet.
Karović suffered a neck wound and bruising but was conscious. He was taken to a hospital in Thessaloniki. The return journey took about 20 minutes.
Ryanair Statement
A Ryanair spokesperson said: "A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on Friday morning (10 July) returned to Thessaloniki shortly after take-off when a passenger window dislodged inflight. The aircraft landed normally and passengers returned to the terminal. One passenger requested and received medical assistance on the ground in Thessaloniki. In order to minimise any delay, a replacement aircraft was arranged to bring passengers to Memmingen which departed Thessaloniki at 9:53 local this morning."
