NTSB Investigates Ryanair Engine Failure After Window Shatters

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  • August 14, 2026 at 1:52 PM ET
  • Est. Read: 2 Mins
NTSB Investigates Ryanair Engine Failure After Window ShattersAI-generated illustration — does not depict real events
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Key Takeaways

Engine debris from a Ryanair flight shattered a cabin window, partially pulling out a passenger. Investigators found bird remains in the engine but have not confirmed they caused the failure.

  • Engine fan blade broke off shortly after takeoff on July 10 flight from Greece to Germany
  • Passenger Ljubisa Karović was pulled back into the cabin and treated by an onboard doctor
  • NTSB report found evidence of metal fatigue in the broken fan blade but no definitive cause yet
  • Four bird strikes were reported to the plane’s right engine in the previous year, with bird remains found in two cases
  • Investigators are examining whether previous suspected bird strikes contributed to pre-existing damage

Source Claims Check

High Consensus
All 5 publishers report consistent facts across 5 key claims.
ClaimStatusReason
Engine Failure CauseBroad AgreementBird remains found in engine, no definitive cause yet
Passenger InjuriesBroad AgreementPassenger suffered neck and shoulder injuries, friction burns
Flight DetailsBroad AgreementFlight FR1879 with 149 passengers and four flight attendants
Engine MaintenanceBroad AgreementFan blades inspected in May 2026 and November 2025, no damage found
Faa DirectivesBroad AgreementFAA issued directives for Boeing 737 engine coverings in April 2025
Engine Failure Cause
Broad Agreement
Bird remains found in engine, no definitive cause yet
Passenger Injuries
Broad Agreement
Passenger suffered neck and shoulder injuries, friction burns
Flight Details
Broad Agreement
Flight FR1879 with 149 passengers and four flight attendants
Engine Maintenance
Broad Agreement
Fan blades inspected in May 2026 and November 2025, no damage found
Faa Directives
Broad Agreement
FAA issued directives for Boeing 737 engine coverings in April 2025
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.

Engine debris from a Ryanair flight shattered a cabin window, partially pulling out a passenger. Investigators found bird remains inside the engine but have not confirmed they caused the failure.

A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found an engine fan blade broke off shortly after takeoff on July 10 flight from Greece to Germany, shattering the window and damaging the fuselage. The passenger Ljubisa Karović was pulled back into the cabin by other passengers and treated by an onboard doctor.

According to The Guardian, Karović told them he fainted several times after the incident on Ryanair flight FR1879, which had 149 passengers and four flight attendants. The NTSB report stated that the cabin depressurized and the two pilots returned to Thessaloniki airport for an uneventful landing.

The NTSB preliminary report found evidence of metal fatigue in the broken fan blade but no definitive cause yet. Four bird strikes were reported to the plane’s right engine in the 12 months preceding the incident, with bird remains reportedly found in two of those cases. Investigators are still looking at whether previous suspected bird strikes contributed to pre-existing damage.

Flight attendants reported hearing and feeling loud, continuous vibration and seeing smoke or fog fill the cabin before oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling. A flight attendant noticed passengers standing and calling for help, with Karović partially lodged in the damaged window. Passengers pulled him back into the cabin and used a metal box to block the opening until landing.

Videos recorded inside the plane showed passengers wearing oxygen masks after cabin depressurization. One video appeared to show the broken window with a man nearby wearing an oxygen mask. Another video, filmed after landing, showed first responders working in the aisle.

How this summary was created

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