According to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the structural failure of a CFM56-7B26 fan blade on a Boeing 737 operated by Ryanair triggered an explosive decompression and partial passenger ejection on July 10, 2026. The aircraft, flying from Thessaloniki to Memmingen with 155 people on board, suffered a catastrophic engine breakup that tore through the fuselage and shattered a cabin window, as detailed by investigators.
Engine Failure Investigation and NTSB Findings
Investigators examining the wreckage in France and the United States discovered that the number 10 fan blade fractured at the dovetail root due to high-amplitude fatigue. According to the NTSB document, roughly 37% of the fracture surface appeared relatively smooth with a curved edge, showing severe friction wear on the contact surfaces. The CFM56-7B26 engine, built by a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran, recorded a sharp vibration spike during the takeoff roll from Thessaloniki Airport. When engine power increased near Polykastro as the plane climbed to 16,000 feet, the blade snapped, hurling high-velocity debris that pierced the lower fuselage and destroyed the window at seat 11F.
Cabin Chaos and Passenger Rescue
The sudden decompression deployed oxygen masks and forced frantic passengers to intervene, with some travelers attempting to cover the fuselage hole using a metal box retrieved from the galley, according to flight data and crew accounts reported byilgiornale.it. A 61-year-old male passenger seated at 11F was partially sucked out of the shattered window before fellow travelers grabbed him and pulled him back into the cabin. The passenger sustained neck and shoulder injuries along with friction burns, while flight attendants reported heavy continuous vibrations and smoke or mist filling the cabin before the emergency descent. The aircraft returned safely to Thessaloniki, where ground medical assistance awaited the passengers of the Malta Air-operated flight.
Maintenance History and FAA Directives
The NTSB investigation reveals fresh questions regarding regulatory oversight and maintenance schedules. The failed fan blade had undergone ultrasonic testing just 253 flight cycles prior to the incident on May 24, 2026, without revealing defects. Furthermore, investigators noted that the accident aircraft’s intake cowl, engine hinges, and exhaust components lacked the structural reinforcements mandated by three Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness directives issued in 2025. Although Ryanair remained fully compliant with regulations because the FAA set a final compliance deadline of July 2028, the crash prompts safety experts to reevaluate whether such multi-year transition windows for critical engine parts remain appropriate.
Did you know? International aviation rules allow national authorities to delegate major accident investigations. In this case, Greek authorities formally delegated the probe entirely to the American NTSB, with technical participation from Boeing, GE Aerospace, Safran, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the Ryanair window to shatter on July 10, 2026?
According to the NTSB report, a fan blade in the right engine broke due to metal fatigue, sending high-speed debris that punctured the fuselage and destroyed the window at seat 11F.
Were there any bird strikes involved?
The NTSB stated that investigators found bird remains inside the engine, raising the possibility of a prior bird strike during takeoff, though pilots did not report one at the time.
Is Ryanair facing regulatory penalties for the delayed engine upgrades?
No. Ryanair was in full compliance with current rules, as the FAA gave airlines until July 2028 to implement the specific engine structural enhancements.
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