NTSB links Ryanair incident to bird strike
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board says a bird strike may have caused a serious incident on Ryanair Flight 1879. The Boeing 737 left Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10 and was headed to Memmingen, Germany when its No. 2 engine failed shortly after takeoff.
According to the preliminary findings, a fan blade broke apart and debris tore into the fuselage, damaging the aircraft and breaking a passenger window in row 11. A passenger seated there was partially pulled from the plane and suffered serious injuries.
The investigation is being led by the NTSB after delegation from Greek authorities. Boeing said it continues to support the probe.
Key Events
- Ryanair Flight 1879 departed Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10 bound for Memmingen, Germany.
- Minutes after takeoff, the Boeing 737's No. 2 engine failed.
- Engine debris struck the fuselage and damaged the aircraft.
- A passenger window in row 11 was broken open.
- The passenger in that seat was partially sucked out and seriously injured.
- The NTSB said a bird strike may have caused the engine failure.
- Greek authorities delegated the investigation to the NTSB.
Ryanair Passenger Pulled Partly From Window
A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, turned back shortly after takeoff when a passenger window dislodged in flight. A 61-year-old Serbian man was partially pulled out of the opening, and fellow passengers helped удержain him until the aircraft landed safely back in Thessaloniki.
Later reporting and preliminary findings from investigators said engine fragments likely struck the fuselage and shattered the window. The probe also found bird remains in the engine, suggesting a possible bird strike, though the exact cause of the engine failure has not been determined. The passenger suffered injuries and received medical treatment after the incident.
Key Events
- A Ryanair flight departed Thessaloniki, Greece, for Memmingen, Germany.
- A cabin window dislodged shortly after takeoff.
- A passenger was partially pulled out of the opening and passengers held him inside.
- The aircraft turned back and landed in Thessaloniki.
- The passenger was treated for injuries after the landing.
- Investigators linked the damage to engine debris and later found bird remains in the engine.
Ryanair engine parts shatter window
US investigators said broken parts from a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 engine shattered a window shortly after takeoff from Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 10. Debris from the right engine broke the window and damaged the fuselage in several places.
A 61-year-old Serbian passenger had his head pulled through the opening before other passengers dragged him back inside. He suffered neck and shoulder injuries along with friction burns.
Investigators found bird remains inside the engine, raising the possibility that the aircraft struck birds during takeoff. The cause of the fan blade failure has not yet been determined, and the National Transportation Safety Board is leading the preliminary investigation after Greece transferred the case under international aviation rules.
Key Events
- The Ryanair flight departed Thessaloniki, Greece, bound for Germany.
- Shortly after takeoff, a right engine fan blade broke loose and sent debris outward.
- Fragments shattered a cabin window and damaged the fuselage in several places.
- A man's head was pulled through the opening before fellow passengers pulled him back inside.
- The 61-year-old Serbian passenger was treated for neck, shoulder and friction-burn injuries.
- Investigators found bird remains inside the engine, suggesting a possible bird strike.
- The US National Transportation Safety Board issued a preliminary report after Greece handed over the investigation.