Svetlana Grkovic saved the life of her husband Ljubisa Karovic by clinging to his legs as he was partly sucked out of a Ryanair aircraft window at 20,000 feet. The 61-year-old Serbian man was traveling with his wife on a flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, on Friday, July 10, 2026, when the window dislodged inflight.
Mid-Air Emergency
The couple was returning from a summer holiday in Greece when the aircraft encountered difficulties shortly after takeoff at 5:55 a.m. local time. The captain noticed a problem with the engine while the plane was above North Macedonia and decided to return to Thessaloniki. During the descent, a section of the engine reportedly detached and smashed into a cabin window beside Mr. Karovic, according to the Express. Ryanair confirmed the incident, stating that the "window dislodged inflight."
Wife's Heroic Efforts
The collision caused Mr. Karovic to be partly dragged out of the aircraft, with his head and shoulder outside due to cabin pressure. His wife instantly seized his legs as he dangled outside. Speaking to Nova, Ms. Grkovic said: "It was as if a part of the engine broke off and hit the window next to which my husband Ljubisa was sitting. I reacted immediately and grabbed his legs. I thought: 'If we die, we die together.' It was horrible."
Injuries and Aftermath
Mr. Karovic continues to receive hospital treatment and is unable to communicate due to his injuries. His wife revealed he sustained friction burns, a severely damaged hand, and other burns, and is in a state of profound shock. She said he blacked out multiple times and has minimal recollection of the events. Ms. Grkovic also wished to thank another passenger who helped save her husband's life.
Ryanair's Response
A Ryanair spokesperson stated: "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."
