Ryanair plane window shattered by broken engine part, US probe finds

A Ryanair flight bound for an unspecified destination suffered a catastrophic engine failure shortly after departing Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10th. A broken fan blade detached from the engine, striking the fuselage and shattering a passenger window, investigators revealed.

The terrifying incident saw a 61-year-old man partially sucked into the opening before fellow passengers bravely pulled him back inside. The aircraft lost cabin pressure, forcing the pilots to return to Thessaloniki. Oxygen masks deployed from the ceiling as passengers, some screaming, grappled with the sudden decompression and the horrifying sight of their fellow traveler in peril.

Passengers described hearing a loud bang, akin to a "tyre bursting," followed by a rapid loss of altitude. Videos shared by local media showed passengers wearing oxygen masks and what appeared to be the damaged window. The flight was operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary.

US investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the probe, with assistance from Greek authorities. They found bird remains within the damaged engine, suggesting a possible bird strike. The NTSB also reprimanded Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary for prematurely commenting on the investigation's focus, stating that all potential causes, including the plane's age and maintenance, were being considered. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was delivered to Ryanair in 2008.

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Most people had fallen asleep. We had closed our eyes. We heard a sound. I’d describe it like a tyre bursting ... but very loud. We knew straight away we lost pressure because we lost altitude.