Ryanair CEO Links Cabin Window Failure to Engine Debris

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary announced that initial findings suggest foreign object debris damaged an engine during takeoff from Thessaloniki, leading to a window shattering and a passenger being partially sucked out.

Engine Damage Suspected

Following a dramatic incident on a Ryanair flight, Michael O’Leary stated that preliminary analysis indicates an engine may have been damaged by a foreign object during takeoff from Thessaloniki. Official confirmation is pending further investigation.

O’Leary addressed the incident during a presentation of the airline’s second-quarter financial results, noting that while foreign object damage is the working theory, sufficient data has not yet been finalized to confirm the cause with certainty.

Investigation Timeline

The airline expects to publish a preliminary report regarding the incident in approximately four weeks. A more comprehensive and detailed investigation report will follow at a later date.

The July 10 Incident

The event occurred on July 10 when a loud bang was heard shortly after takeoff, causing one of the aircraft’s windows to shatter. A 61-year-old passenger seated next to the window was injured and partially pulled through the opening before other passengers managed to pull him back into the cabin.

The aircraft, which was diverted to Memmingen near Munich, performed an emergency landing back in Thessaloniki. The injured passenger was transported to a local hospital for treatment.