A Ryanair aircraft experienced a frightening incident when a broken fan blade shattered a window, causing a passenger’s head to be pulled towards the opening before fellow passengers rescued him. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the Boeing 737-800 encountered the issue shortly after departing from Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10. Investigators discovered bird remnants in the engine, indicating a possible bird strike during takeoff, although the exact cause of the fan blade detachment remains unknown.
The 61-year-old man involved suffered neck, shoulder injuries, and friction burns. Flight attendants recounted hearing loud vibrations, observing smoke or fog within the cabin, and witnessing oxygen masks deploy. Passengers reacted swiftly to assist the man stuck in the damaged window, pulling him back inside the aircraft.
Videos captured inside the plane depicted passengers wearing oxygen masks due to a loss of cabin pressure. Despite the unsettling experience, the aircraft landed safely back in Thessaloniki. Ryanair later clarified that the flight returned due to a window dislodging in-flight.
Maintenance records revealed that the failed fan blades underwent ultrasonic inspections in May 2026 and November 2025, showing no prior damage. However, the NTSB highlighted four reported suspected bird strikes on the same engine within the past year, with bird remains discovered after two of these incidents. The investigation will delve into the maintenance procedures and potential links between the previous bird strikes and the engine failure.
Notably, the aircraft, capable of accommodating up to 189 passengers, was delivered to Ryanair in 2008. Flight data indicated a rapid ascent and descent following the incident, with the plane landing safely back at the airport. The flight was operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary.
The NTSB reprimanded Ryanair’s CEO for premature comments regarding the investigation focus, emphasizing that all possibilities are being considered. The safety board aims to uncover unanswered questions surrounding the incident to prevent similar occurrences in the future.