Ryanair Window Blowout: Engine Fatigue Pulled Passenger Through Cabin on July 10

A broken engine fan blade with metal fatigue caused a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 to lose cabin pressure and shatter a window on July 10, nearly killing a 61-year-old passenger. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report on August 14, confirming engine fragments breached the fuselage at 16,000 feet during climb from Thessaloniki, Greece. Bird remains found in the engine suggest a possible bird strike triggered the failure.

How the window shattered mid-flight

Flight FR-1879 departed Thessaloniki for Memmingen, Germany, with 149 passengers and six crew. At 16,000 feet, pilots received a high-vibration alert from the right engine. The vibrations increased sharply, followed by a loud bang. Engine fragments breached the fuselage and penetrated the cabin, shattering the window at row 11 and damaging the horizontal stabilizer. The cabin depressurized immediately, triggering emergency descent.

Passenger pulled back by other travelers

A 61-year-old Serbian entrepreneur, Ljubisa Karovic, was seated at the shattered window in seat 11F. His head and right arm were sucked through the opening. Other passengers grabbed him and pulled him back inside before he could be ejected. He suffered neck, shoulder, and head injuries plus friction burns. A doctor on board treated him as the aircraft returned safely to Thessaloniki. Passengers used a metal catering box to try blocking the hole.

Metal fatigue and bird strike clues

The NTSB found that 37 percent of the fracture surface on the failed fan blade showed metal fatigue features. Investigators traced damage to the blade root, indicating high-amplitude fatigue from repeated stress. Bird remains and feathers were recovered inside the engine, suggesting a possible bird strike during takeoff. The NTSB has not yet determined the root cause of the blade failure.

Aircraft lacked required engine upgrades

The 18-year-old Boeing 737-800 operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary, had not undergone engine design changes required for U.S. airlines by 2028. Because Ryanair is Irish, it is not subject to Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The aircraft carried 149 passengers and one lap child. The full NTSB investigation can take up to two years, with a final report still pending.

Final Thoughts

The incident exposes gaps in engine safety standards for non-U.S. carriers. Ryanair investors should monitor whether European regulators mandate the same engine upgrades now required for American operators by 2028.

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