Ryanair Boeing 737 Window Blowout Triggers U.S. Lead Investigation

On July 10, 2026 a Ryanair-operated Boeing 737-800 (registered 9H-QEU) departed Thessaloniki, Greece, bound for Memmingen, Germany. Shortly after climb to about 15,000 ft, a window on the right side shattered, causing rapid cabin decompression. A 61-year-old Serbian passenger, Ljubisa Karovic, was partially pulled out of the aircraft before his seat-belt and fellow passengers restrained him and pulled him back inside. The crew executed an emergency descent to roughly 6,000 ft, burned fuel for about 30 minutes, and landed safely at Thessaloniki Airport. Karovic sustained neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns and was hospitalized.

NTSB to Lead Probe of Window Blowout on Ryanair Flight

The event echoes two Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 NG accidents in 2016 and 2018, in which broken fan-blade debris struck a window, leading to a fatal partial-suction incident in the latter case. After the 2018 accident, the NTSB urged Boeing to redesign the fan-cowl structure, and the FAA issued an airworthiness directive in 2023 requiring compliance by 2028.

NTSB to Lead Probe Into Ryanair Boeing 737 Incident after Passenger Partly Pulled from Broken Window

• National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) – U.S. agency now leading the probe under ICAO Annex 13 delegation.

NTSB leads probe into Ryanair’s window incident over Greece

• Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority – Greece’s accredited representative in the investigation.

NTSB leads probe into Ryanair’s window incident over Greece

• Ryanair/Malta Air – Operator of the flight; fleet consists of 411 Boeing 737-800 aircraft powered by CFM International CFM56 engines.

NTSB to Lead Probe Into Ryanair Boeing 737 Incident after Passenger Partly Pulled from Broken Window

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – Provided video evidence of engine debris striking the window.

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• Shye Gilad – Former airline captain and Georgetown University instructor, commenting on passenger safety.

Investigators lead probe into Ryanair flight where man was partly sucked out window

• Bryan Bedford – FAA Administrator.

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• Jeff Guzzetti – Aviation-risk expert, president of Guzzetti Aviation Risk Discovery.

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• Svetlana Maksimovic – Karovic’s wife, eyewitness.

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The aircraft, delivered new to Ryanair in 2008, climbed past 15,000 ft six minutes after take-off before descending to 6,000 ft. Flight-tracking data show the plane remained at the lower altitude for roughly 30 minutes before returning to Thessaloniki about an hour after departure. The Boeing 737-800’s three-layer acrylic windows are designed to withstand high pressure differentials.

Investigators lead probe into Ryanair flight where man was partly sucked out window

The incident revives scrutiny of the 737 NG fleet’s fan-cowl design and the effectiveness of existing airworthiness directives. Regulators may reassess whether the 2023 FAA directive fully mitigates the risk of engine-fragment impact on windows, potentially prompting additional modifications before the 2028 compliance deadline.

Reuters

The NTSB announced it had accepted Greece’s delegation and would lead the investigation with Greek participation. Ryanair’s statement confirmed the flight returned “shortly after take-off when a passenger window dislodged inflight,” added that the aircraft landed normally, one passenger received medical assistance, and a replacement aircraft was dispatched to complete the journey. The FAA noted that early indications do not suggest the incident mirrors the Southwest case.

Investigators lead probe into Ryanair flight where man was partly sucked out window

Aviation-risk experts caution that liability could extend beyond the airline to the aircraft or engine manufacturer if the investigation confirms a design or maintenance failure. Jeff Guzzetti emphasized that “if there is accountability, it could be with the manufacturer.”

NTSB to Lead Probe Into Ryanair Boeing 737 Incident after Passenger Partly Pulled from Broken Window

Witnesses reported a loud bang, immediate deployment of oxygen masks, and the sight of Karovic’s head, neck and shoulders outside the window. Maksimovic told EPT News that fellow passengers “grabbed his hand… three of us were pulling him in.” She later described her husband’s condition as “wearing a collar, he’s in shock… I’m also in a bad psychological state; I’m taking tranquilisers.”

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Initial reports placed the incident over the Republic of North Macedonia; the NTSB later clarified it occurred in Greek airspace. Some outlets cited a “right engine issue” as the trigger, while the exact mechanism—engine failure, maintenance lapse, or manufacturing defect—remains unverified.

NTSB to Lead Probe of Window Blowout on Ryanair Flight

• “The seat belt can help in those first few seconds. It’s a difference maker and people should keep their seat belts fastened at all times,” — Shye Gilad, former airline captain, Georgetown University

Investigators lead probe into Ryanair flight where man was partly sucked out window

• “I don’t think the early indications are that (the recent Ryanair problem) mimics what the Southwest incident was.” — Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator

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• “Did ?we miss something? Way too early to tell – but we can’t take it off the board yet,” — Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator

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• “It’s an extremely rare occurrence, but the Greeks have asked the US NTSB to investigate, so that’s a good thing because they have experience in investigating similar cases in the past.” — Jeff Guzzetti, aviation-risk expert

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• “My husband fainted three times. They put a suitcase in the window, but it was sucked out.” — Svetlana Maksimovic, passenger and wife of Ljubisa Karovic

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