A flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen turned into a terrifying ordeal on Friday when a man was partially sucked out of a dislodged airplane window just minutes after takeoff. Fellow passengers acted instantly, pulling him back inside as the aircraft rapidly lost cabin pressure.
The Malta Air flight, operated for Ryanair, returned to Thessaloniki shortly after the window blew out. The 61‑year‑old passenger suffered neck and shoulder injuries along with friction burns, according to hospital officials. His condition later in the day remained unclear.
Passengers described a sudden explosive bang, followed by oxygen masks dropping and the aircraft descending sharply. One passenger, identified only as Christina, said the man’s “whole head, neck, shoulders” were pulled through the opening before nearby travellers dragged him back to safety. Panic swept through the cabin as people screamed and braced for impact.
The cause of the window failure has not yet been confirmed. While Ryanair has not commented on reports of an engine issue, the US National Transportation Safety Board said it was notified that the aircraft turned back due to a right‑engine problem and cabin decompression. The NTSB is not leading the investigation but is prepared to assist.
Videos shared with Greek media showed passengers wearing oxygen masks and the blown‑out window beside the injured man. Another clip captured first responders boarding the aircraft after landing.
Aviation expert Shye Gilad, a former airline pilot, said the incident highlights why passengers should keep seatbelts fastened at all times. Rapid decompression can create a powerful suction effect near a breach, he explained, adding that such events are “very rare” because “it takes a lot to breach a cabin.”
As investigators work to determine what caused the window to fail, passengers are crediting quick thinking and sheer instinct for preventing a tragedy.
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