Broken engine components caused a window to shatter on a Ryanair aircraft just after taking off in Greece last month, resulting in a passenger’s head being drawn towards the opening before others managed to pull him back in, as per U.S. investigators. A fan blade from the Boeing 737-800’s right engine broke off, leading to fragments damaging the window and several parts of the aircraft’s structure, according to an initial report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The investigation was transferred to the U.S. agency by Greece in accordance with international aviation regulations. The incident occurred on July 10 following the departure from Thessaloniki in northern Greece. Investigators discovered bird remnants inside the engine, indicating a potential bird strike during takeoff, though the cause of the fan blade detachment remains undetermined.
The 61-year-old passenger whose head was pulled towards the broken window sustained neck and shoulder injuries along with friction burns. Flight attendants reported hearing intense, continuous vibrations and witnessing smoke or fog filling the cabin before the deployment of emergency oxygen masks from the ceiling of the plane.
Witnesses described seeing some passengers standing and calling for help, with a man in a Row 11 window seat getting lodged in the damaged window. Other passengers intervened and successfully pulled him back inside the cabin. The injured passenger was then relocated to Row 12 for medical attention by a doctor on board. Subsequently, passengers used a metal box provided by flight attendants to cover the damaged window until the aircraft could land safely.
Videos recorded inside the plane during the incident, shared by Radio Thessaloniki, displayed passengers wearing oxygen masks due to the loss of cabin pressure, as well as the blown-out window with a nearby passenger wearing an oxygen mask. Another video post-landing depicted first responders working in the aisle.
Maintenance records indicated that the fan blades on the failed right engine underwent ultrasonic inspections in May 2026 and November 2025, with no signs of damage found. However, flight crews had reported four suspected bird strikes on the same engine within the past year, with bird remnants discovered after two incidents. An expert, Jeff Guzzetti, suggested that the necessary maintenance was likely performed as scheduled but noted that investigators would delve into the inspection procedures and whether prior bird strikes had contributed to any pre-existing damage.
The NTSB recently criticized Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary for prematurely focusing on foreign object damage rather than considering the aircraft’s age or maintenance history during an investor briefing. The agency emphasized that no conclusions had been drawn, and O’Leary was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Ryanair announced that they would refrain from commenting further until the NTSB concludes its investigation. Both Boeing and CFM International, the engine manufacturer, stated their cooperation with the probe. The FAA had issued three directives in the previous year mandating airlines to reinforce specific engine coverings on Boeing 737s after previous fan blade failures resulted in parts of the coverings detaching. The NTSB report revealed that the required modifications had not yet been implemented on the Ryanair aircraft.
Experts suggested that the recent incident might prompt a reevaluation of the deadline set by the FAA and NTSB for the engine covering enhancements. The FAA declined to provide details on the ongoing inquiry, emphasizing its support for the NTSB and readiness to take necessary safety measures based on the investigation findings.
The aircraft involved in the incident last month, a 737-800 with a capacity of up to 189 passengers, was brand new to Ryanair in 2008. Flight data indicated that the plane ascended to over 4,570 meters before descending to approximately 1,830 meters for a 30-minute fuel burn before returning to Thessaloniki about an hour after takeoff. The flight was operated by Malta Air, a subsidiary of Ryanair, the largest budget carrier in Europe. The plane landed safely, and passengers disembarked without further incident.