Passengers on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen reported a sudden, terrifying incident when a cabin window blew out mid‑air, causing the aircraft to descend approximately 9,000 feet.
Tracking data confirmed the abrupt drop and air‑pressure loss. Onlookers heard a blaring “explosion” and saw emergency oxygen masks fall from the ceiling. The aircraft landed safely at Thessaloniki, where passengers were off‑board with minimal injuries apart from the lone Serbian passenger who was found partially out of the window.
A 61‑year‑old Serbian national suffered friction burns and was admitted to a Greek hospital. His wife tied his legs to prevent the passenger from being dragged out, and fellow travelers pulled him inside before the ordeal concluded.
Ryanair issued a statement saying the flight returned "shortly after take‑off when a passenger window dislodged in flight." They arranged replacement aircraft later that day. By contrast, the incident’s cause is still unclear; passengers recalled that the window was shattered by fragments of the jet’s engine.
Thessaloniki airport operator Fraport Greece said the Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority was now probing the event. The Irish Aviation Authority confirmed its awareness and pledged assistance to investigators.
Safety experts note the importance of secure seat belts, even when cabin lights are off, to prevent similar dramatic outcomes during decompression events.
