Evidence of bird strike found after Ryanair passenger nearly sucked out of plane’s broken window, NTSB says
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Evidence of Bird Strike Found in Ryanair Incident
Wertynews.com – Evidence of bird strike found after a dramatic incident on a Ryanair flight has been confirmed by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. The preliminary report released Thursday indicates that bird remains were discovered inside the failed engine of Flight 1879, which experienced a critical failure on July 10. The incident nearly resulted in a passenger being sucked from the aircraft when a window shattered during the flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany.
What Happened During the Flight
Minutes after takeoff, the No. 2 engine of the Boeing 737 experienced a fan blade failure. According to NTSB investigators, the broken blade sent debris through the fuselage at multiple points, ultimately bursting out a passenger window in row 11. The passenger seated in that position was partially ejected from the aircraft and sustained serious injuries. Pilots reported receiving an engine warning followed by a loud bang as cabin depressurization occurred.
Investigators recovered three loose fan blade fragments and noted that vibrations on the No. 2 engine were higher than normal during the end of takeoff. Despite recent inspections, metal fatigue was discovered at the base of the broken fan blade. The aircraft, carrying 149 passengers and six crew members, immediately returned to Thessaloniki International Airport with no other injuries reported.
Bird Strike History and Investigation
The plane had experienced four reported bird strikes in the 12 months leading up to the July 10 incident, with bird remains found in two of those cases. NTSB investigators located bird remains deep inside the failed engine and are currently determining whether they originated from the recent incident or a previous occurrence. Those samples were sent to the Smithsonian Institution Feather Identification Lab in Washington, D.C., for detailed examination.
Notably, engine updates required for U.S. airlines by 2028 had not yet been completed on this aircraft. As Ryanair operates under Irish regulations, it is not subject to Federal Aviation Administration oversight. The injured passenger, a 61-year-old Serbian man, later shared his experience with The Guardian, noting that his seatbelt likely kept him from being fully ejected.
What Passengers and Crew Did
A flight attendant told investigators that after oxygen masks deployed, they observed the passenger partially lodged in the damaged window with the entire glass missing. Other passengers helped pull the man back into the cabin and moved him to row 12, where a doctor among the passengers provided medical treatment. Another passenger retrieved a metal box from the forward galley to help block the broken window.
Greek authorities designated the NTSB as the lead investigating agency for this incident. The final report is expected within 12 to 24 months according to standard protocol. Boeing has stated it continues to support the investigation and remains in contact with both Ryanair and Malta Air as customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the window to break on Ryanair Flight 1879? The broken fan blade in the No. 2 engine sent debris through the fuselage, which ultimately shattered a passenger window in row 11 during the flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen.
Were there bird remains found in the engine? Yes, NTSB investigators discovered bird remains including feathers inside the failed engine. These samples were sent to the Smithsonian Institution for identification to determine if they came from the July 10 incident or a previous bird strike.
How many passengers were on board and were they all safe? There were 149 passengers and six crew members aboard. Only one passenger, a 61-year-old Serbian man, was seriously injured and partially sucked out of the broken window. No one else was hurt.
When will the final investigation report be released? The NTSB’s final report is expected within 12 to 24 months following the incident, according to standard investigation protocol.
