The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stated that it has not ruled out age or service issues as contributing factors in an incident where a passenger was partially ejected from a Boeing 737 NG aircraft after an uncontained engine failure. This contradicts earlier statements by Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, who had suggested that initial findings pointed to foreign object damage and not the aircraft's age or maintenance.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy wrote to O'Leary, indicating that his public comments violated the agency's disclosure rules for investigation parties and urged him to cease further public statements on the probe. The NTSB is investigating the July 10 incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece. A piece of the engine reportedly broke off the aircraft, shattering a window and causing passenger Ljubiša Karović, 61, from Serbia, to be partially sucked out of the plane. His wife, Svetlana Grković, managed to cling to his feet for several minutes. The aircraft, bound for Germany, experienced a loss of pressure and made an emergency landing.
O'Leary had initially suggested that the damage appeared to be from a foreign object ingested by the engine during takeoff. He also stated that the aircraft was 18 years old and its engines had been serviced and overhauled within the preceding two years. A draft report on the incident was expected within approximately 28 days, followed by a more detailed report.
The event drew comparisons to two Boeing 737 NG incidents involving Southwest Airlines in 2016 and 2018. However, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford previously suggested that the recent Ryanair incident did not appear to mimic the Southwest events.
Karović described the ordeal as a "nightmare experience" that has left him suffering from panic attacks and significant physical injuries. He reported being woken by a loud bang, similar to a bomb explosion, and has fragmented memories of the event. He sustained injuries including a swollen and numb head, temporary paralysis on his right side, and partial damage to his right ear and eye. He also suffered burns and is wearing a neck brace for six weeks, with uncertainty about a full recovery. The incident has severely impacted his mental well-being, concentration, and daily life, making travel and crowded public spaces difficult.
His wife, Svetlana Grković, recounted the terror of grabbing his legs, fearing they would die together. Other passengers reportedly assisted during the chaos, with Grković expressing gratitude to one man who helped save her husband's life.
A pregnant woman on board was taken to the hospital as a precaution but has since been discharged in good health.
