Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 14
Ryanair Passenger, 61, Remains Hospitalized After Window Blowout Partly Sucked Him Out 9,000 Feet
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 14

Ryanair Passenger, 61, Remains Hospitalized After Window Blowout Partly Sucked Him Out 9,000 Feet

3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 14

Summary

  • Ljubisa Karović, 61, is still hospitalized after a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen rapidly decompressed and left him hanging outside the cabin up to his chest for about two minutes.
  • His wife, Svetlana Grković, said she grabbed his legs while two other passengers helped pull him back in; he reportedly lost consciousness three times and suffered serious hand injuries, burns and shock.
  • Passengers said they heard an explosion before the aircraft dropped 9,000 feet about 10 minutes after takeoff, while a family-appointed technical adviser believes a right-engine failure sent debris through the window.
  • Ryanair said the plane returned shortly after takeoff when a passenger window dislodged and landed normally in Thessaloniki; Greek authorities are investigating with support from Boeing, the FAA and EASA.

Insights

A man was nearly pulled from a plane at 16,000 feet. What was the true cause of the explosive cabin breach mid-flight?
This event mirrors a fatal 2018 accident. Why are known engine flaws on Boeing 737s still endangering passengers' lives years later?
A safety alert for this exact engine was issued four days prior. Was this terrifying mid-air incident on the 18-year-old jet preventable?