German Flight Incident: Passenger Nearly Pulled Out of Window After Engine Debris

A passenger on a Malta Air flight, operated by Ryanair, was left hanging head‑first out of a cabin window for several minutes after the window broke in flight, reports show. Witnesses said the man, a Serbian citizen in his 60s, was almost sucked out before other passengers pulled him back inside.

Ryanair announced that the flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen returned shortly after take‑off when a passenger window dislodged. The aircraft landed safely and passengers returned to the terminal, with one passenger receiving medical assistance on the ground in Thessaloniki. The airline arranged a replacement aircraft for the delayed passengers later the same day.

Passengers described a loud bang followed by the window breaking and oxygen masks dropping, the same as on a 2018 Southwest Airlines flight in the US where a passenger was partially sucked out. It is believed that debris from the jet’s engine smashed the window, although Ryanair has not confirmed the exact cause.

The Irish Aviation Authority said it was aware of the incident involving a Ryanair group aircraft and would cooperate with Greek and Maltese authorities in the investigation.

The aircraft involved was an 18‑year‑old Boeing 737 operated by Malta Air. The incident raises serious safety concerns and has renewed focus on strict maintenance and emergency procedures for passenger planes.