Last month, a Ryanair flight departing from Greece experienced a serious incident shortly after takeoff when an engine fan blade broke off. The detached parts struck a plane window, shattering it and creating a hole in the fuselage. This resulted in a male passenger being partially sucked into the breach. Fortunately, fellow passengers were able to pull him to safety before any further injury occurred. U.S. investigators provided these details on Thursday, highlighting the potential dangers associated with such mechanical failures during flight.
The incident happened shortly after the flight took off from the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki on July 10.
The NTSB said it found bird remains inside the engine, suggesting the plane may have struck birds as it took off.
NTSB Takes Over Investigation of Ryanair Incident
The NTSB has assumed control of the investigation into the recent incident involving Ryanair, with the Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority of Greece participating in the process. This transfer of oversight aligns with international aviation regulations.
In a recent statement, NTSB officials reprimanded Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary for comments made during an investor call. O’Leary stated that the investigation was concentrating on foreign object damage, dismissing concerns about the aircraft’s age or maintenance history. The NTSB clarified that no conclusions had been drawn regarding the investigation’s focus and noted that O’Leary was not authorized to make such statements.
