Expert: Mid-flight window blowout on Ryanair jet is a rare incident

An aviation expert has described the mid-flight window blowout on a Ryanair Boeing 737 as an exceptionally rare occurrence. The incident, which happened during a flight originating from Thessaloniki, Greece, involved a passenger being partially sucked out of the aircraft. Witnesses reported that a window detached, and the nearest passenger was pulled out by their head and shoulders, requiring others to restrain them. Harald Hanke, a retired professor of aviation electronics and a former pilot, explained that such events are uncommon. He attributed the phenomenon to the drastic pressure differential between the aircraft's cabin, which is pressurized for human comfort at high altitudes, and the much lower external air pressure. "When a large hole suddenly appears in the cabin, the pressure equalizes instantly," Hanke stated, adding that the speed of this equalization and the force of suction depend on the size of the opening. The sudden pressure drop also triggered the deployment of oxygen masks, consistent with witness accounts. Following the incident, the flight crew made the decision to return to Thessaloniki. All passengers were safely accommodated on a replacement aircraft and continued their journey to Memmingen. The relevant authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the specific circumstances of the event.

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Actually, something like this happens very rarely.