A preliminary report by US investigators has found that an engine fan blade broke during last month’s Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany, sending debris into the aircraft and smashing a window through which a passenger’s head was reportedly sucked partway out.
According to the report, cited by BBC News, the engine fan blade failure caused fragments of the engine to strike the fuselage, damaging a cabin window. The resulting loss of cabin pressure reportedly caused the terrifying incident in which the passenger was partially pulled toward the opening before the crew and other passengers were able to respond.
What the Investigation Found
US investigators, who are examining the incident as part of a preliminary review, say the broken fan blade was the root cause of the window failure. The report does not yet draw final conclusions about why the blade broke or whether any maintenance or manufacturing issues were involved, as such findings typically emerge later in a full investigation.
The flight was travelling from Greece to Germany when the incident occurred last month, according to the report. Details about the exact number of passengers affected, the extent of any injuries, and how the aircraft was diverted or landed safely have not been fully disclosed in the preliminary findings reported so far.
Ryanair’s Response
Ryanair has not yet issued a detailed public statement responding to the preliminary report’s specific findings, though the airline previously acknowledged the incident occurred. Airlines typically await the conclusion of official investigations before commenting extensively on technical causes of in-flight emergencies.
Investigators are expected to continue examining the engine component and the sequence of events that led to the window damage as part of a fuller safety review. Such preliminary reports are standard practice following serious in-flight incidents and are often followed by more detailed findings and safety recommendations.
The incident has drawn significant attention given the alarming nature of the passenger’s exposure to the open window, though officials have not yet detailed the full extent of the injuries sustained during the event.
