A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report confirms that an engine fan-blade-out failure on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10, 2026, caused debris to shatter a cabin window. The resulting loss of cabin pressure partially sucked a 61-year-old passenger out of the Boeing 737-800, who was subsequently pulled back into the aircraft by fellow passengers.
NTSB Investigation into Engine Failure and Cabin Breach
The incident occurred during the climb-out phase of the flight to Memmingen, Germany. According to the NTSB, the aircraft’s No. 2 (right) engine experienced a fan-blade-out failure, which sent fragments through the fuselage and shattered a window. Investigators found bird remains inside the engine, suggesting a potential bird strike during takeoff, though the precise cause of the blade failure remains under assessment.
The flight crew reported receiving a “high vibration” alert shortly after departure. Per the NTSB report, the pilots initially reduced engine power and performed checks. When vibrations ceased, they continued the climb on autopilot. However, the vibrations returned with a “loud bang,” forcing the crew to declare an emergency and return to Thessaloniki. The aircraft landed safely approximately one hour after takeoff.
Passenger Safety and Emergency Response
As the cabin lost pressure, oxygen masks deployed. Flight attendants reported seeing smoke or fog in the cabin before discovering that a passenger in row 11 was partially lodged in the missing window. According to the BBC, the passenger was held by his wife and other passengers for several minutes until he could be pulled back inside. He sustained neck and shoulder injuries along with friction burns.
Other passengers on board utilized a metal box provided by flight attendants to attempt to block the breach in the fuselage until the plane landed. Once on the ground, first responders provided medical assistance to the injured passenger, who was treated at the scene.
Maintenance Records and Industry Precedents
The aircraft, operated by Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air, was delivered in 2008. Maintenance records cited by the NTSB indicate that the right engine’s fan blades underwent ultrasonic inspections in November 2025 and May 2026, with no faults reported. However, the NTSB noted that flight crews had reported four suspected bird strikes to that same engine over the previous year.
This event follows a series of regulatory actions by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In April 2025, the FAA mandated that airlines strengthen engine coverings on Boeing 737s to prevent debris from striking the fuselage during engine failures. These directives were issued in response to historical accidents, including a 2018 Southwest Airlines incident where a passenger was killed after engine debris shattered a window.
Did you know?
The NTSB formally reprimanded Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary last month after he publicly suggested the investigation was focused on foreign object damage. The agency clarified that investigators had not ruled out any factors and that O’Leary was not authorized to discuss the ongoing federal investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What caused the Ryanair window to break? According to the NTSB, a fan blade in the right engine broke off, sending fragments into the fuselage and shattering the window.
- Was the plane properly maintained? Maintenance records show the engine fan blades passed ultrasonic inspections in May 2026, though investigators are reviewing whether previous bird strikes contributed to the failure.
- Is the NTSB investigating a flight in Greece? Yes, Greek authorities delegated the full investigation to the U.S. NTSB shortly after the July 10, 2026, incident.
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