U.S. aviation safety investigators announced Thursday they are leading the probe into a Ryanair flight from Greece that experienced a window dislodging shortly after takeoff, an incident that saw a passenger partially pulled out of the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined the incident occurred in Greek airspace, not over North Macedonia as initially believed, prompting them to assume lead investigative authority under international aviation rules. Greece’s Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority will participate in the investigation. The event took place on July 10 on a flight operated by Malta Air, a subsidiary of Ryanair, from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany. Passengers reported hearing a loud noise, followed by the deployment of oxygen masks and a rapid loss of cabin pressure.
A 61-year-old passenger sustained neck and shoulder injuries and friction burns, according to a Greek hospital official. The NTSB had previously stated the flight returned to Thessaloniki due to an "engine issue and cabin decompression."
Ryanair confirmed the flight's return to Thessaloniki after a window became dislodged, but has not publicly addressed the engine issue cited by the NTSB. Passengers described experiencing a sudden loss of cabin pressure, which can create a powerful suction effect near an opening, according to former airline captain Shye Gilad, who teaches at Georgetown University. Gilad emphasized the importance of keeping seat belts fastened during flight, noting that such breaches of the cabin are very rare.
Flight data indicates the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, delivered to Ryanair in 2008, was climbing past 15,000 feet when it immediately began descending about six minutes after departure. The aircraft maintained a lower altitude for approximately 30 minutes to burn fuel before returning to Thessaloniki. Ryanair stated that one passenger received medical attention upon landing and that a replacement aircraft later transported passengers to Germany.