An engine fan blade broke off on a Ryanair flight and sent parts flying that shattered a plane window shortly after takeoff in Greece last month, which caused a man’s head to be sucked into the hole in the fuselage before his fellow passengers pulled him to safety, U.S. investigators said Thursday.
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.
Investigation and Response
International aviation rules allow Greece’s Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority to hand over investigations to the NTSB, which they did in this case, with Greece participating.
The NTSB reprimanded Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary after he told investors last month that the investigation was focused on foreign object damage and not the plane’s age or maintenance history. The NTSB said investigators hadn’t ruled anything out and O’Leary wasn’t authorized to discuss it.
