Bird Strike Suspected in Ryanair Engine Failure Incident That Nearly Sucked Passenger Out

A bird strike is the likely cause of an engine failure that occurred on a Ryanair flight over Europe last month, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The incident happened on July 10 aboard Ryanair Flight 1879, a Boeing 737, shortly after takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece, en route to Memmingen, Germany. The aircraft's No. 2 engine experienced a failure, with one of its fan blades breaking off. The NTSB determined that the resulting debris sliced into the plane's fuselage at multiple points, damaging the aircraft and blowing out a passenger window in row 11.

The passenger seated in that window seat was partially ejected from the aircraft and sustained serious injuries. NTSB investigators found evidence of bird remains, including feathers, within the failed engine. Pilots reported receiving an engine warning followed by a loud bang, as engine fragments breached the fuselage and caused the cabin to depressurize.

Investigators also noted signs of metal fatigue at the base of the broken fan blade, despite recent inspections. Data recorders indicated higher vibrations in the No. 2 engine compared to the No. 1 engine during takeoff. The NTSB highlighted that required engine updates, due by 2028 for U.S. airlines, had not been performed on this aircraft, as Ryanair is an Irish airline not subject to FAA regulations.

The flight, carrying 149 passengers and six crew members, immediately returned to Thessaloniki International Airport. No other injuries were reported. The NTSB also revealed that the aircraft had been involved in four reported bird strikes in the 12 months preceding the July 10 incident.

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Engine fragments breached the fuselage and the cabin depressurized.