Thessaloniki, Greece. A 61-year-old passenger was pulled partly through a dislodged cabin window on a Ryanair flight departing Thessaloniki on July 10, sustaining severe neck and arm injuries, his wife said.
Greek officials described the incident, which occurred early in the flight to Germany, as rare. Investigations have been launched by authorities in several countries and aviation agencies.
Passenger account
Svetlana Maksimovic said she and her husband, Ljubisa Karovic, had settled into the aircraft when a loud bang was heard. Karovic, who was seated by the window, was then pulled through the opening.
“I’ve never heard anything louder in my life before. I just then turned around and saw that part of his body had already gone out the window,” Maksimovic told Reuters. She said his head and right arm were outside the aircraft.
Maksimovic said a woman seated beside Karovic pulled on his left arm, and another passenger joined the effort to bring him back inside as the aircraft began descending.
Investigation underway
Greek media and airport sources said a piece of an engine may have broken off and struck the window, causing cabin decompression. The cause remains under investigation.
Boeing said it was assisting an investigation led by North Macedonia, whose airspace the aircraft was crossing when the incident occurred. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency are also involved.
A Greek prosecutor and Greek air accident investigators have opened separate inquiries. The aircraft remains in Greece.
Airline response
Ryanair confirmed that a window dislodged during the flight but said it would not comment further while the matter is under formal investigation.
Karovic is receiving hospital treatment in Thessaloniki, according to Maksimovic. The couple have hired a lawyer, Vassilis Tsiaras, who said the results of the investigation would be pivotal.