Mid-air window breach
Passenger pulled back into plane after window breaks on flight from Greece to Germany
A passenger on a Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany was partially sucked out of a broken airplane window shortly after takeoff, according to Yakima Herald. Fellow passengers grabbed him and pulled him back inside the cabin before the plane made an emergency landing in northern Greece.
The frightening incident unfolded just minutes after the aircraft left the ground, according to Post Register. The passenger was taken to a hospital in northern Greece following the emergency landing.
Window Breaks Mid-Flight, Passenger Pulled to Safety
The window broke shortly after the Ryanair flight took off from Greece, according to HJ News. The force of the air pressure at altitude began pulling the passenger out of the opening. Quick-thinking passengers nearby grabbed him and held on, dragging him back inside the cabin.
The pilot then turned the plane around and made an emergency landing back in northern Greece, according to BDT Online. Emergency crews were waiting when the aircraft touched down.
Passenger Taken to Hospital After Terrifying Ordeal
A hospital official in northern Greece confirmed the passenger was brought in for treatment after the incident, according to Hastings Tribune. The extent of his injuries has not been fully detailed in early reports.
The other passengers on board were shaken but unharmed. The plane was carrying travelers headed to Germany when the emergency cut the flight short, according to Yakima Herald.
Ryanair Flight Route and What Went Wrong
The flight was operated by Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost airline, on a route from Greece to Germany, according to HJ News. The exact airport of departure and the cause of the window failure have not yet been confirmed by officials.
Airplane windows are built in multiple layers to handle air pressure differences between the cabin and the outside. A full structural failure of this kind is extremely rare and will likely trigger an investigation by aviation authorities.
Passengers Save a Life Mid-Air — Bystanders Become Heroes
The swift action of fellow passengers is being credited with saving the man's life. At cruising altitude, the air pressure outside a plane is far lower than inside, creating a powerful suction force through any opening, according to Post Register.
Without intervention, the outcome could have been fatal. The passengers who pulled him back acted within seconds, according to BDT Online. Their fast response gave the flight crew time to begin the emergency descent back to Greece.
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