A Ryanair aircraft experienced a frightening incident when broken engine parts caused a man’s head to be pulled towards a shattered window shortly after takeoff in Greece last month, according to U.S. investigators. The Boeing 737-800’s right engine fan blade broke loose, leading to fragments damaging the window and fuselage, as per a preliminary report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The investigation was overseen by the U.S. agency following international aviation regulations after the plane departed from Thessaloniki on July 10.
The passenger, aged 61, whose head was sucked towards the damaged window, sustained neck and shoulder injuries along with friction burns. Flight attendants reported hearing loud vibrations and observing smoke or fog in the cabin before emergency oxygen masks deployed. Passengers in Row 11 assisted in pulling the man back inside the cabin, where he received medical attention from a doctor in Row 12. Other passengers used a metal box to cover the opening until the aircraft landed.
Videos taken inside the plane depicted passengers wearing oxygen masks due to cabin pressure loss and showed the blown-out window and first responders working post-landing. Maintenance records revealed that the failed engine’s fan blades underwent inspections in May 2026 and November 2025 without any damage found. Despite this, four suspected bird strikes were reported to the same engine by flight crews over the past year, with bird remains discovered after two incidents.
NTSB criticized Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary for prematurely focusing on foreign object damage in the investigation instead of considering other factors. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued directives in 2025 requiring airlines to reinforce engine coverings on Boeing 737s to prevent fan blade failures from causing further damage. The required modifications had not been completed on the Ryanair plane by the deadline of July 2028.
Ryanair, Boeing, and CFM International are cooperating with the investigation, while experts suggest that the recent incident could prompt a reassessment of the modification deadline. The FAA refrained from commenting on the ongoing investigation, emphasizing its support for the NTSB and readiness to take necessary safety measures based on evidence. The aircraft involved in the incident, capable of seating up to 189 passengers, was delivered to Ryanair in 2008 and operates under Malta Air, a subsidiary of Ryanair.