Ryanair flight nightmare: Passenger almost sucked out when engine debris smashes window

Ryanair flight FR1879 from Thessaloniki/Salonika in Greece to Memmingen in southern Germany turned into a scene of pure terror on Friday morning after part of the engine broke off and smashed straight through a cabin window.

Minutes into the journey the Boeing 737-8AS shook with a loud bang that sent shockwaves through the whole aircraft.

A 61-year-old man from Serbia who was sitting beside the shattered window got dragged halfway out into the freezing air by the explosive decompression. His wife and fellow passengers next to him fought to hold him back and stop him disappearing into the sky for good. Screams filled the cabin as oxygen masks dropped down from above while people grabbed at them in fear.

Pilots kept a steady head, spoke calmly to the crew and turned the plane straight back towards Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport in Greece.

Problem first seen while flying over North Macedonia

The crew spotted the engine issue while the plane passed over North Macedonia and realised they could not sort it out while still in the air. They called in an emergency and set course for the airport they had just left behind.

BREAKING: Ryanair passenger reportedly saved from being sucked out the cabin after window fails during a flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen.

According to local media Ryanair flight FR1879, a Boeing 737-8AS, returned safely to Greece on Friday after part of a damaged engine… pic.twitter.com/YPgRodjPFp

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) July 10, 2026

Ground teams got the message and were preparing for a possible rough landing with all emergency services on full alert. Firefighters, police and ambulances lined up ready in case anything went wrong on the return.

Plane touches down safely

Ground staff watched the safe touchdown before moving the aircraft to a special area away from the main terminal. Checks on the damage showed the engine had taken a real battering while the fuselage itself stayed intact with no big cracks or holes, except in the one window.

Injured passenger heads straight to hospital

A 61-year-old Serbian man reached AHEPA University General Hospital back in Thessaloniki, still in shock but awake, lucid and talking. Medics found friction burns across his body from the powerful pull of the air outside. He now faces a CT scan to rule out fractures or any deeper harm.

NEW: Ryanair passenger, 61, nearly sucked out of Greece–Germany flight after damaged engine debris shatters cabin window; suffers friction burns pic.twitter.com/L8cpxF1Ad9

— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) July 10, 2026

Another passenger asked for help on the ground and received treatment at the airport itself. Four travellers in all went for hospital checks just to be safe, with most getting the all clear and heading back to the airport for a replacement flight, while one stayed on for more tests.

Mimi, who was on the flight, said on X, “Thankfully we’re all (almost) at least physically ok and heading to Munich as we speak. The person near the window had a strong hit and is in the hospital right now. No more news at the moment.”

Replacement plane whisks passengers to their destination

Ryanair moved fast and brought in a second aircraft so everyone could still make it to Memmingen with as little delay as possible. The replacement flight took off from Thessaloniki at around 9.50am local time, carrying the original group minus those getting medical attention.

Aviation watchdogs launch probe into engine failure

Experts have started digging into what caused the engine part to come loose and strike the window so hard.

Ryanair said in a statement that the window was smashed during the flight, but the plane landed normally and all passengers returned to the terminal without further incident. Company bosses stressed they brought in the replacement flight quickly to keep disruption to a minimum for those on board.

Union officials later said the incident came close to a full tragedy as the passenger’s body ended up out in the rushing air until his wife and others dragged him back inside.

Remember to keep your seatbelt fastened at all times!