A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, was forced to return shortly after takeoff on Friday when a passenger window shattered mid-air at approximately 20,000ft. The incident resulted in partial cabin depressurization and drew significant attention on social media.
Key Takeaways
A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen was forced to return after a passenger window shattered mid-air at 20,000ft, causing partial cabin depressurization. Passengers pulled a 61-year-old Serbian man back inside after he was partially sucked out of the broken window.
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 6 publishers report consistent facts across 3 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Condition | Broad Agreement | 61-year-old treated for shock, burns, neck/shoulder injuries. | |
| Aircraft Model | Broad Agreement | Boeing 737-800 delivered in 2008. | |
| Flight Return Time | Broad Agreement | Flight returned about an hour after takeoff. |
Passenger Condition
Broad Agreement61-year-old treated for shock, burns, neck/shoulder injuries.
Aircraft Model
Broad AgreementBoeing 737-800 delivered in 2008.
Flight Return Time
Broad AgreementFlight returned about an hour after takeoff.
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The shattered window reportedly sucked a 61-year-old Serbian passenger partway out of the aircraft. Fellow travelers, including his wife who held him by the legs, managed to pull him back inside as oxygen masks deployed. The man was taken to hospital suffering from shock, friction burns, neck and shoulder injuries.
The flight, operated by Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft delivered in 2008, returned to Thessaloniki shortly after takeoff when the passenger window dislodged. Passengers reported hearing a loud bang similar to a tire bursting before oxygen masks dropped and the plane began losing altitude.
A Ryanair spokesperson confirmed that one passenger received medical assistance on the ground in Thessaloniki. A replacement aircraft was arranged to bring passengers to Memmingen, departing at 9:53am local time. Greek media reported that a piece of engine may have broken off and smashed the window, causing the cabin depressurization.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was notified about a right engine issue and cabin decompression. The investigation will be led by North Macedonia's Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Committee. Flight records show the aircraft climbed past 15,000ft before descending to burn fuel for 30 minutes prior to returning.
A Greek hospital official stated that the passenger was treated for neck and shoulder injuries as well as friction burns. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to not being authorized to speak publicly. Passengers described a scene of panic, with screams and shrieks filling the cabin after the loud bang and subsequent loss of altitude.
One passenger, identified only as Christina, recounted that most passengers had fallen asleep when they heard a sound like a tire bursting. She described how the man's head, neck, and shoulders were pulled out of the window before fellow passengers managed to pull him back inside.
How this summary was created
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