A passenger on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, was nearly sucked out of the aircraft Friday morning when a window shattered shortly after takeoff. The incident occurred on a Boeing 737-800. Oxygen masks deployed as the cabin lost pressure.
The 61-year-old Serbian man was reportedly held in his seat by other passengers and his wife to prevent him from being expelled from the plane. Witnesses described how fellow travelers helped to pull the man back into the cabin.
Ryanair confirmed that the aircraft returned to Thessaloniki Airport shortly after departure. "The aircraft landed normally and passengers returned to the terminal," a spokesperson said. "One passenger requested and received medical assistance on the ground in Thessaloniki."
Reports indicate that a piece of the plane's engine broke off and struck the window, causing it to shatter. The passenger who was restrained is being treated for friction burns. The other passengers were placed on a replacement flight.