Boeing Engine Blade Failure Nearly Sucks Passenger Out Through Shattered Window

Investigators have determined that shortly after takeoff, a fan blade broke off inside the engine of Ryanair flight FR1879, travelling from Thessaloniki to Memmingen in Bavaria. The flying debris punctured a window, and the resulting pressure difference began pulling the head of a 61-year-old Serbian passenger, who was sitting by the window, out through the opening.

His wife and another passenger had to hold onto the man to keep him from being pulled out of the cabin by the decompression. As a result of the incident, the man suffered injuries to his neck and shoulders, along with friction burns.

What Passengers Experienced

According to those on board, a loud bang was heard first, followed shortly after by the automatic deployment of oxygen masks and a sharp drop in cabin pressure.

Investigators found that debris from the blade also damaged the fuselage skin in several places. Despite the severity of the damage, the crew managed to safely return the aircraft to the departure airport.

Bird Strike Theory

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) noted in its report that remains of birds were found inside the damaged engine. This suggests that the aircraft likely struck birds during takeoff, which triggered the failure of the fan blade.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz