Broken Engine Blade Shattered Ryanair Window, NTSB Says
A broken engine fan blade on a Ryanair flight shattered a window, causing a passenger to be partially sucked out. NTSB investigation points to bird strike.
A U.S. investigation has revealed that a broken engine fan blade caused the terrifying mid-air incident on a Ryanair flight last month, where a passenger was partially sucked out of a shattered window.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the blade broke off shortly after takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10. The detached parts struck and shattered a cabin window, and also damaged the fuselage in several other places. The NTSB also found bird remains inside the engine, suggesting the aircraft may have struck birds during takeoff.
The incident caused a rapid decompression, dropping oxygen masks from the ceiling. A 61-year-old passenger, seated next to the broken window, was partially sucked out of the hole. Fellow passengers pulled him back inside. He suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns.
Passengers described hearing a loud bang, similar to a tire bursting, and feeling the plane lose altitude. Videos from inside the cabin showed passengers wearing oxygen masks and first responders attending to the injured man after landing.
The aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Malta Air (a Ryanair subsidiary), returned to Thessaloniki about an hour after departure. It had climbed to over 15,000 feet before descending to burn fuel and land safely.
The NTSB took over the investigation from Greek authorities, who are participating. The NTSB also criticized Ryanair's CEO for publicly speculating about the cause before the investigation was complete.