A passenger on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, was nearly pulled from the aircraft when a window dislodged shortly after takeoff. The incident occurred at approximately 16,000 feet, leading to a rapid depressurization of the cabin.
Experts explain that a cracked window, combined with the pressure differential between the cabin and the outside air, can cause a window to break and create a powerful suction effect. Richard J. Levy, an aviation consultant and former American Airlines captain, stated that a piece of the plane's engine reportedly broke off and struck the window, initiating the failure.
"With a cracked window and the pressure on the window from cabin pressurization, the window cracked, broke — and then the extreme difference in air pressure from the cabin to the outside creates a strong suction," Levy told Fox News Digital. "The person was then sucked out."
The passenger, identified as 61-year-old Serbian national Ljubisa Karović, was treated for neck and shoulder injuries, as well as friction burns, according to a Greek hospital official. His wife, Svetlana Grković, recounted the harrowing experience, stating she immediately reacted and grabbed his legs. "I thought: 'If we die, we die together,'" she said. Three other passengers assisted in pulling Karović back into the aircraft. A suitcase placed against the window was reportedly sucked out.
A spokesperson for Ryanair confirmed that a passenger window had "dislodged in-flight." The aircraft returned safely to Thessaloniki, where the injured passenger received medical attention. A replacement aircraft was arranged to transport the remaining passengers to Memmingen.
While rapid decompressions are described as "extremely rare events" by aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo, who also noted that commercial aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation, other experts suggest these incidents are not as uncommon as the public might believe. William J. McGee, senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project, pointed to what he called "weak government oversight of aviation safety" as a contributing factor.
Arroyo emphasized the importance of passenger safety protocols. "Follow crew directions," he advised. "It seems redundant, but always have your seat belt fastened whenever you're seated."