Mid-Air Horror: Passenger Nearly Sucked Out as Aircraft’s Window Blows Out During Flight

A Ryanair flight travelling from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, was forced to make an emergency return shortly after take-off on Friday after a passenger window became dislodged mid-flight, leaving one passenger injured and triggering an international safety investigation.

According to reports from Greek public broadcaster ERT, the unidentified passenger, who was seated beside the affected window, was partially pulled out of the aircraft when the window suddenly gave way. The force of the cabin depressurisation reportedly dragged the man head-first through the opening up to his shoulders before fellow passengers intervened and pulled him back into the cabin.

Witnesses said the incident occurred moments after take-off, prompting the aircraft’s oxygen masks to deploy as the crew initiated emergency procedures.

One passenger, who was seated further back in the cabin, told Radio Thessaloniki that those on board initially heard a loud bang before realising the seriousness of the situation.

“We were sitting a bit further back from where it happened. All we heard was a loud noise and then the oxygen masks dropped. The injured man was bleeding and initially fainted,” the passenger said.

Flight tracking data from AirNav Radar showed that Ryanair Flight FR1879 departed Thessaloniki at approximately 5:57 a.m. local time before turning back at an altitude of about 16,000 feet. The aircraft, identified as an 18-year-old Boeing 737-8AS, landed safely at Thessaloniki Airport one hour and 13 minutes after departure.

In a statement to CNN, Ryanair confirmed that the aircraft returned to Thessaloniki after a passenger window became dislodged during the flight.

“A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on Friday morning returned to Thessaloniki shortly after take-off when a passenger window dislodged in flight. The aircraft landed normally and passengers returned to the terminal,” the airline said.

The carrier added that one passenger requested and received medical assistance after landing.

“One passenger requested and received medical assistance on the ground in Thessaloniki. In order to minimise any delay, a replacement aircraft was arranged to bring passengers to Memmingen, which departed Thessaloniki at 9:53 a.m. local time,” the statement added.

According to ERT, the injured passenger was treated for shock and other injuries following the emergency landing, while the remaining passengers were transferred to a replacement aircraft to continue their journey to Germany.

Meanwhile, aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

The Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority (HARSIA), Greece’s aviation accident investigation body, confirmed that it has commenced an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the window failure.

Fraport Greece, the operator of Thessaloniki Airport, said it had activated its emergency response procedures immediately after the aircraft returned and was cooperating fully with investigators.

“As the operator of Thessaloniki Airport, Fraport Greece is fully cooperating with all relevant stakeholders and has activated the established emergency response procedures following the aircraft’s forced return. Our teams, in close coordination with airport stakeholders and emergency services, took all necessary actions to ensure the safe management of the situation,” the airport operator said.

The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also announced on Friday that it would assist in the investigation into the incident.

Investigators are expected to examine the cause of the apparent window failure and determine whether any mechanical or maintenance issues contributed to the occurrence. The findings will be closely watched by aviation safety authorities and the airline industry, given the rarity of such incidents on commercial passenger aircraft.