A recent preliminary report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicates that a bird strike may have been responsible for a serious incident on a Ryanair flight last month, where a passenger was nearly ejected from the aircraft due to a broken window.
Incident Overview
On July 10, Ryanair Flight 1879, a Boeing 737, took off from Thessaloniki, Greece, en route to Memmingen, Germany. Just minutes into the flight, the plane’s No. 2 engine experienced a catastrophic failure, resulting in debris that compromised the aircraft’s fuselage and caused a passenger window in row 11 to shatter.
The NTSB’s report revealed that a fan blade from the engine broke off, sending fragments that damaged the fuselage and led to cabin depressurization. A 61-year-old Serbian man seated by the window suffered serious injuries as he was partially sucked out of the cabin.
Investigation Findings
Investigators discovered bird remains, including feathers, within the failed engine, suggesting that a bird strike may have occurred. However, it remains unclear whether the remains were from the July incident or from previous encounters, as the aircraft had reported four bird strikes in the year leading up to this event.
- Engine failure occurred shortly after takeoff.
- Cabin depressurization led to the passenger being partially ejected.
- Three fragments of the fan blade were recovered for analysis.
- Vibrations recorded from the No. 2 engine were significantly higher than from the No. 1 engine.
The NTSB noted that the aircraft had not undergone required engine updates mandated for U.S. airlines, as Ryanair, being based in Ireland, is not subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.
Passenger Experience
The injured passenger recounted his harrowing experience, stating, «I don’t remember much and my head and neck still hurt but I am still alive. It could have been the seatbelt, the fact that I was still strapped in.» The cabin crew and other passengers acted quickly to assist him, pulling him back into the cabin and providing medical attention.
Next Steps in Investigation
The NTSB has been appointed as the lead investigating agency by Greek authorities, and a final report is expected within the next 12 to 24 months. In a statement, Boeing expressed its commitment to cooperating with the NTSB investigation, while Ryanair has opted to withhold comments until the inquiry is completed.
This incident raises significant concerns regarding bird strikes and aircraft safety, particularly for airlines operating in regions with high avian activity.
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