Ryanair CEO Cites Foreign Object Damage in Plane Window Incident

A Ryanair passenger was partially sucked out of a window during a flight from Greece to Germany on July 10, an incident the airline's CEO says was likely caused by foreign object damage to an engine Source: BBCSource: Fox Business.

What happened

The Boeing 737, operated by Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air, had just taken off from Thessaloniki when debris from an engine broke a window, causing rapid decompression. Passenger Ljubisa Karović was partially ejected; his wife and others held him until he was pulled back inside Source: BBC. The plane descended to 6,000 feet and returned to Thessaloniki after burning fuel Source: Fox Business. Karović suffered serious injuries, including neck and shoulder trauma and friction burns Source: Fox Business.

Investigation

CEO Michael O'Leary stated that initial findings suggest 'foreign object damage' to the engine on takeoff, but not definitively Source: Fox Business. He noted the 18-year-old aircraft's engine had been serviced within two years Source: BBC. The US National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, with a draft report expected in about 28 days Source: BBCSource: Fox Business. If confirmed, foreign object damage could affect liability of Ryanair and Boeing .