Ljubiša Karović: Broken Engine Blade Shattered Ryanair Window, NTSB Says

Ljubiša Karović, 61, was partially sucked out of a Ryanair plane after a broken engine fan blade sent debris into the aircraft and shattered a passenger window, according to a preliminary NTSB report.

Engine Debris Struck Ryanair Flight

The incident happened aboard Ryanair Flight FR1879 shortly after it departed Thessaloniki, Greece, for Memmingen, Germany, on July 10.

Investigators said a fan blade separated from the right engine, causing debris to strike and damage several areas of the Boeing 737-800’s fuselage.

Passenger Pulled Partially Through Window

Karović was seated beside the shattered window when the sudden loss of cabin pressure pulled his head, neck and shoulders outside the aircraft.

His wife reportedly grabbed his legs before other passengers helped pull him back into the cabin. He suffered neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns but survived.

Bird Remains Discovered Inside Engine

The NTSB said investigators found bird remains inside the damaged engine, suggesting that a bird strike may have contributed to the failure.

However, investigators have not yet announced a final cause, and the examination of the engine, aircraft maintenance and other possible factors remains ongoing.

Aircraft Returned Safely to Thessaloniki

Oxygen masks deployed as the cabin rapidly lost pressure. The pilots descended and returned safely to Thessaloniki approximately one hour after takeoff.

The Boeing 737-800 was operated by Malta Air on behalf of Ryanair. No other serious passenger injuries were reported.