Ryanair flight window blows out, passenger partially ejected and rescued
The Ryanair Boeing 737 operating a Thessaloniki-to-Germany route suffered a window rupture while cruising over Greece, briefly exposing a passenger to the outside air. CBS News reported that the Serbian tourist’s head and shoulders were pulled out of the opening, causing friction burns. Fox Business added that the aircraft returned to Thessaloniki after the incident and the passenger received treatment for burns and shock. The Air Current said investigators linked the rupture to a fan-blade failure in the right engine that created debris which struck the window. The New York Post described the rapid decompression at about 20,000 feet and noted that fellow travelers held the passenger’s legs to keep him from being sucked out. USA Today quoted the passenger’s wife, who said he remained hospitalized and traumatized.
Yahoo echoed that the flight landed safely back in Thessaloniki for an emergency landing. AP News reported that the U. S. National Transportation Safety Board assumed primary responsibility for investigating the incident. Fox Business later clarified that the window break was caused by debris from the damaged engine. Newser published the passenger’s own account, stating that Ljubisa Karovic sustained burns and a neck injury.
