The elderly man involved in the accident was reportedly saved by his wife, who “held him by the legs”.
A passenger was reportedly partially sucked out of a Ryanair Boeing 737 after a window was blown out under unclear circumstances shortly after takeoff.
The incident occurred on Friday aboard flight FR1879 from Greece to Germany operated by Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air. According to multiple media reports, one of the aircraft’s engines malfunctioned, sending debris into the fuselage. A fragment reportedly shattered a cabin window, causing the passenger seated beside it to be partially sucked outside.
The 61-year-old Serbian national suffered bruises and friction burns caused by the freezing air and was hospitalized in shock after the plane landed. Reports said he avoided being pulled from the aircraft because he was wearing his seatbelt, while his wife reportedly grabbed his legs as other passengers helped pull him back inside.
Footage taken shortly after the accident circulating online shows the window fully blown out and partially blocked by a box. The accident reportedly sparked panic onboard with oxygen masks deployed due to depressurization.
Ryanair acknowledged the accident, stating the plane managed to return to the airport safely and a replacement aircraft was arranged for the stranded passengers. The airline did not provide any details on what exactly prompted the window’s failure.
“A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on Friday morning returned to Thessaloniki shortly after takeoff when a passenger window dislodged inflight,” the company said.
Boeing said it was aware of the mishap, with the aircraft maker stating it was “in contact with Ryanair.”
