NTSB Takes Over Investigation After Ryanair Passenger Was Partly Sucked Out of Blown-Out Window Mid-Flight
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has officially taken over the investigation into the dramatic Ryanair flight incident that left a passenger partially sucked out of a broken cabin window just minutes after takeoff.
The terrifying event occurred on July 10 aboard a Malta Air-operated Boeing 737-800 flying for Ryanair from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany. After reviewing the aircraft’s flight path, investigators determined the emergency happened in Greek airspace, allowing Greece’s Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority to transfer the investigation to the NTSB under international aviation rules.
According to the NTSB, the aircraft turned back because of a reported right engine issue and cabin decompression. Ryanair has confirmed the aircraft returned after a window became dislodged but has not publicly commented on the engine issue mentioned by investigators.
Passengers described hearing a loud bang before oxygen masks deployed as the aircraft rapidly lost cabin pressure. One 61-year-old passenger seated near the damaged window was reportedly partially pulled outside the aircraft during the sudden decompression before fellow passengers managed to pull him back inside. He suffered neck and shoulder injuries along with friction burns and was treated after landing.
Flight tracking data shows the Boeing 737-800 had climbed above 15,000 feet about six minutes after departure before making an immediate emergency descent to approximately 6,000 feet. The aircraft remained at the lower altitude for around 30 minutes to safely burn fuel before returning to Thessaloniki roughly one hour after takeoff.
Former airline captain Shye Gilad said the incident highlights why passengers should always keep their seat belts fastened, explaining that rapid decompression can create an intense but brief suction effect near a cabin breach. He also emphasized that such events are extremely rare because commercial aircraft are designed with multiple layers of structural protection.
Ryanair said a replacement aircraft later transported passengers to Germany after the emergency landing.
The NTSB’s investigation will now focus on determining what caused the window to dislodge, the reported engine issue, and whether any structural or maintenance factors contributed to the frightening mid-air emergency.
