The incident occurred on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen, Germany, when a passenger window dislodged mid-air, leaving a 61-year-old Serbian man clinging to his seat. The Boeing 737-8AS aircraft returned to Greece after part of a damaged engine reportedly detached and struck the cabin window.
A fellow passenger recounted the frightening moment, stating that most passengers had fallen asleep, but a sudden noise, like a tire bursting, jolted them awake. Oxygen masks dropped, and a strong smell filled the air, prompting screams from other passengers. The woman described how she saw the man's head and shoulders protruding from the window, but fortunately, he had not removed his seatbelt.
The man's wife held onto his legs for about five minutes while other passengers assisted in pulling him back inside the cabin. The aircraft landed safely in Thessaloniki, where the injured man was hospitalized with friction burns and was reportedly in good condition. A pregnant woman on the flight was also taken to the hospital, but has since been released.
Ryanair issued a statement regarding the incident, stating that the flight returned to the terminal shortly after take-off when a passenger window dislodged. One passenger received medical assistance on the ground, and a replacement aircraft was made available to take the remaining passengers to Memmingen. The incident has raised concerns about aircraft safety, and investigations are ongoing.
