After the plane took off from Thessaloniki Airport in Greece at 5:55 a.m. local time, a part of the engine broke off from the aircraft and shattered a window, video footage and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) data show. The plane flying to Germany experienced a severe drop in pressure, so the pilot decided to return to Thessaloniki.
It was during the landing that a part of the damaged engine detached and hit the cabin window. Due to the pressure difference, a 61-year-old Serbian was almost pulled out, but his wife held on to his feet until other passengers rushed to help.
The incident is being investigated by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
“Preliminary signs suggest that a foreign object entered the engine during takeoff in Thessaloniki, but we cannot confirm this categorically yet,” M. O’Leary told analysts while presenting Ryanair’s financial results for the April–June quarter, Reuters reports.
The CEO stated that the aircraft is 18 years old, and its engine has been fully inspected and overhauled in the past two years.
He also indicated that a draft investigation report should be prepared in about 28 days, followed by a more detailed report.
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