NTSB Preliminary Report Finds Engine Blade Failure Caused Ryanair Window Breach

A Boeing 737 NG engine fan blade broke during a July 10 Ryanair flight from Greece to Germany, sending fragments into the fuselage and shattering a cabin window. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that the failure caused a passenger, identified as 61 year old Ljubisa Karovic, to be partially sucked out of the aircraft. Karovic's head and shoulders were lodged in the window before he was pulled back into the cabin by his wife and other passengers. The aircraft, operated by Malta Air, made an emergency landing at Thessaloniki International Airport after the crew reported high engine vibrations and a loud bang while climbing to 16,000 feet.

Investigators found evidence of fatigue cracking on the remaining portion of the broken blade. The engine, a CFM56 model produced by a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran, had undergone ultrasonic inspections in May with no faults found. While bird remains were recovered from the engine, the NTSB noted that four suspected bird strikes had been reported in the year prior to the accident, though no damage was found during those subsequent maintenance checks. One center right source noted that the aircraft lacked certain structural reinforcements prescribed by three FAA airworthiness directives.

Framing of the event varied across reports. Center left coverage highlighted a conflict between the NTSB findings and statements from Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, who had previously denied that a passenger was halfway out the window and suggested foreign object damage. The NTSB subsequently faulted O'Leary for commenting on an open investigation. Center right coverage focused more heavily on the technical aspects of metal fatigue and the potential failure of regulatory directives regarding engine maintenance.