Ryanair Passenger Partially Sucked Out of Plane After Window Dislodges

Mid-Flight Decompression and Passenger Rescue

The incident occurred on Friday, July 10, shortly after the Ryanair flight—operated by subsidiary Malta Air—departed from Greece. According to The Guardian, the aircraft reached an altitude of 16,000 feet before experiencing a sudden drop of 9,000 feet. Passengers reported hearing a sound resembling a tire bursting, followed by the immediate deployment of oxygen masks as the cabin depressurized.

A fellow passenger told CBS News that most of the people on board had fallen asleep and closed their eyes when they heard a noise like a tire bursting, at which point they immediately realized there had been a decompression and there were screams.

The 61-year-old passenger, identified in reports as Ljubisa Karović, was seated next to the window when it shattered. His wife, Svetlana Grković, told Serbian outlet Nova that she grabbed his legs as he was pulled partially out of the aircraft by the force of the slipstream. Half of his body was sticking out of the plane, she said. Other travelers assisted in pulling him back into the cabin while he drifted in and out of consciousness.

International Investigation and Regulatory Response

Because the aircraft involved is a U.S.-made Boeing 737-800, the investigation has drawn in multiple international aviation authorities. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) confirmed it has appointed a technical advisor to assist in the probe. North Macedonia is leading the official investigation as the event occurred within its airspace.

The EASA and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are coordinating with Boeing to determine the cause of the window failure. We are in contact with the FAA as state of design of the aircraft as well as the engine manufacturer, the EASA stated, noting that it would take any continued airworthiness action needed to ensure safety.

While some local reports cited by Theguardian and CBS News suggested the window was struck by debris from an engine malfunction, Ryanair has not commented on those specific claims. The airline confirmed the flight returned to Thessaloniki where the passenger received medical attention.

Medical Status and Recovery

Michalis Giannakos, a trade union official, noted that the passenger suffered from shock and friction burns caused by the high-speed air outside the fuselage. Hospital officials in Greece confirmed the man was treated for neck and shoulder injuries and is currently under medical supervision. His wife, Svetlana Grković, described the ordeal as a life-or-death moment, recalling her internal resolve: If we die, we die together.

Following the emergency landing, Ryanair arranged for a replacement aircraft to transport the remaining passengers to Memmingen, Germany, later that morning. The incident marks the latest high-profile safety concern involving a Boeing 737 series aircraft, following a 2024 incident in which a cabin panel blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight, a case that eventually led to findings regarding missing door bolts during the manufacturing process.

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