Ryanair Disputes Passenger Sucked Out During Flight
Ryanair Disputes Passenger Sucked Out During Flight
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Key Points
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Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said the airline had not carried out immediate checks or repairs after the incident, saying, “There’s nothing we can do at the moment” while the investigation continues.
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O’Leary said investigators were focusing on why the engine failure was not contained within the engine, with Ryanair participating in the inquiry alongside Boeing, the NTSB and GE, the engine manufacturer.
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According to the passenger’s wife, when she tried to pull him away from the opening, she first used a bag that was immediately sucked out and then a suitcase, which successfully helped block the window.
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Karovic is 61 and his wife was identified as Svetlana Grković Maksimović; she and two other passengers reportedly held onto him during the incident as he repeatedly lost consciousness.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary is disputing claims that a Serbian passenger was partially sucked out of an airplane window during a July 10 flight from Greece to Germany. The Independent reported that O'Leary acknowledged Ljubisa Karovic was pulled toward the window but denied any part of his body exited the aircraft. Karovic and his wife say his head and shoulder were forced through the opening after an engine fan blade shattered the cabin window.
The 61-year-old passenger suffered neck and shoulder injuries and repeatedly lost consciousness as fellow travelers held onto him. Chronicle Live reported that investigators found an engine fan blade broke apart and struck the window. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is investigating with Ryanair, Boeing, and engine maker GE to determine why the engine failure was not contained.
The Moment a Window Shattered Mid-Flight
On July 10, The Independent reported, the Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen encountered a catastrophic engine failure at high altitude. An engine fan blade fractured and sent fragments hurtling into the cabin. The impact shattered the window near Karovic's seat, creating a sudden pressure difference that yanked him toward the opening with violent force.
Karovic's wife, Svetlana Grković Maksimović, acted quickly to save him. She first threw a bag at the window opening, but it was immediately sucked out into the sky. She then used a suitcase to block the gap while two other passengers gripped Karovic to keep him in his seat. Throughout the ordeal, he lost consciousness multiple times from the trauma and pressure.
CEO Says Passenger's Body Never Left the Aircraft
O'Leary acknowledged the incident was dramatic but made a key distinction in Chronicle Live's reporting. He said Karovic was pulled toward the window but insisted that no part of his body actually exited the plane. The airline disputes the passenger's account that his head and shoulder went through the opening. Ryanair is preparing to challenge these claims in any legal proceedings.
Despite the dispute, O'Leary told The Independent that Ryanair was not downplaying Karovic's injuries and was actively discussing compensation with his lawyer. The CEO said the airline would not pursue immediate repairs or checks because, "There's nothing we can do at the moment" while investigations continue. He also stated the incident did not justify a major class-action lawsuit affecting other passengers.
Investigators Focus on Engine Containment Failure
The core question driving the investigation is why the engine's internal damage was not contained. Chronicle Live reported that the National Transportation Safety Board, Boeing, GE Aviation, and Ryanair are working together to understand how a fan blade failure reached the cabin. Typically, aircraft engines are designed to contain blade fractures within their protective casings to prevent exactly this type of incident.
O'Leary confirmed in his statement to The Independent that investigators were zeroing in on this design and safety question. The incident raises serious concerns about Boeing 737 safety protocols and whether GE's CFM engines meet containment standards. The investigation is expected to take months, during which Ryanair continues normal operations without making aircraft modifications.
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