A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report has determined that a broken engine fan blade from a bird strike likely caused a Ryanair Boeing 737-800’s window to shatter during takeoff in Greece last month, leading to a passenger being partially sucked out of the aircraft.
Separately, a United Airlines flight experienced a tire blowout during takeoff at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, though no injuries were reported.
The Ryanair incident occurred on July 10 shortly after the plane departed Thessaloniki, Greece, bound for Vilnius, Lithuania. Investigators found bird remains inside the right engine, suggesting the plane struck birds during ascent. The fan blade failure sent debris into the fuselage, shattering a window next to 61-year-old passenger Ljubisa Karovic. Oxygen masks deployed as the cabin rapidly depressurized, and Karovic suffered neck, shoulder injuries, and friction burns before fellow passengers pulled him back inside. The flight returned to Thessaloniki for an emergency landing.
United Airlines confirmed that Flight UA1234 to Phoenix experienced a tire blowout during takeoff at O’Hare on [date not specified in sources]. The aircraft returned to the gate safely, and no injuries were reported. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NTSB are reviewing the incident.
Engineering and Maintenance Context
The NTSB’s preliminary report noted that the Boeing 737-800’s right engine had undergone inspections in May 2026 and November 2025 with no damage detected. However, flight crews had reported four suspected bird strikes to the same engine over the prior year, with bird remains recovered in two instances. The fan blade’s failure mechanism remains under investigation, though the NTSB has not yet determined the root cause.
Passenger Accounts
Passengers described hearing a loud bang, comparable to a tire bursting, followed by oxygen masks dropping and the plane losing altitude. Some reported seeing Korovik’s head and upper body outside the shattered window before others intervened. Videos shared by Greek media showed passengers wearing oxygen masks and first responders attending to the scene post-landing.
Ryanair’s Response
Ryanair issued a statement confirming the flight returned to Thessaloniki shortly after takeoff due to a passenger window dislodging in-flight. The airline has not publicly addressed the NTSB’s findings beyond the initial statement.
Aviation Safety Concerns
The incidents follow a series of high-profile aviation events, including the July Ryanair incident and the United tire blowout. Aviation experts have noted that bird strikes and mechanical failures remain persistent risks in commercial aviation, particularly during takeoff and climb phases. The NTSB and FAA are expected to release further updates as investigations progress.
Ongoing Investigations
Both the Ryanair and United incidents are under active review. The NTSB’s final report on the Ryanair event is pending, while the FAA continues to assess the United Airlines tire failure. Airlines and regulators are likely to emphasize enhanced pre-flight inspections and bird strike mitigation strategies in response to these events.