Mid-air rescue investigation
U.S. NTSB probes Ryanair mid-air window incident after passenger nearly sucked out.
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Passenger Ljubisa Karović, a 61-year-old Serbian national, was injured and hospitalised after being partly sucked toward a shattered acrylic passenger window during the incident.
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Engine debris is reported to have caused the window to shatter, triggering explosive cabin depressurization during takeoff from Thessaloniki.
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The rescue narrative highlights the extraordinary actions of the passenger's wife, Svetlana Grković, who anchored herself and held onto her husband’s legs to prevent him from being sucked out, with assistance from two neighboring passengers.
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Ryanair reported an after-tax profit of €538 million for the April-June quarter, down from €820 million a year earlier, with guidance indicating summer fares are expected to be lower than last year.
A Ryanair Boeing 737-800 nearly lost a passenger through a shattered window during takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece. Engine debris is believed to have struck the aircraft, blowing out an acrylic window and causing explosive cabin depressurization. Ljubisa Karović, a 61-year-old Serbian man, was partly sucked toward the opening before his wife and two other passengers pulled him back to safety. He was hospitalized with injuries.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said early findings point to "foreign object damage" to the engine, according to Reuters. The flight was operated by Malta Air on a route from Thessaloniki to Memmingen, Germany. Greek authorities have handed lead oversight of the investigation to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), making it a transatlantic safety inquiry.
Wife's Grip Saved Husband From Being Sucked Out
Svetlana Grković, Karović's wife, acted fast when the window shattered. She anchored herself to her seat and grabbed her husband's legs as he was pulled toward the broken window. Two nearby passengers also held on. Their combined effort kept him inside the plane. Without them, the outcome could have been fatal.
Explosive depressurization happens when cabin pressure drops suddenly. Air rushes out fast, pulling loose objects — and people — toward any opening. Oxygen masks drop and pilots must descend quickly to a safe altitude. The crew followed emergency procedures, and the plane made an emergency landing shortly after the incident.
O'Leary Points to Foreign Object, But Awaits Full Report
CEO Michael O'Leary told reporters that a foreign object likely struck the engine during takeoff. This could mean a bird, debris from the runway, or another object. He said he cannot confirm the cause yet. "Foreign object damage" — or FOD — is a common aviation hazard but rarely causes this level of damage, according to Investing.com.
O'Leary said a draft investigation report is expected within 28 days. A more detailed update will follow after that. Investigators are looking at the aircraft's condition, events on the runway, and what exactly hit the engine. No definitive conclusion has been made yet, according to Reuters.
NTSB Takes Lead as Greece Steps Back From Probe
Greek aviation authorities have handed primary oversight to the U.S. NTSB. This is notable because the flight was not a U.S. domestic route. The NTSB's involvement likely stems from Boeing's role as the aircraft manufacturer. Boeing 737s are built in the United States, giving U.S. regulators jurisdiction over safety investigations, according to Freedom 96.9.
The NTSB will work alongside Greek and European investigators. The agency has handled high-profile Boeing inquiries before, including those tied to the 737 MAX crashes. Its involvement signals the seriousness of the incident and ensures Boeing's engineering data is part of the review.
Ryanair Posts Lower Profits as Fare Pressure Bites
The window incident came as Ryanair reported weaker quarterly results. The airline posted an after-tax profit of €538 million for the April–June quarter. That is down sharply from €820 million in the same period a year earlier. Lower airfares were the main driver of the decline, according to Reuters.
Executives said summer fares are expected to remain lower than last year. Ryanair has faced pricing pressure as more seats chase the same number of passengers across Europe. O'Leary emphasized safety remains the airline's top priority amid the ongoing investigation into the Thessaloniki incident, according to Investing.com.
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