A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, was forced to make an emergency return after a passenger was almost sucked out of a cabin window mid-flight. The man's wife recounted the terrifying ordeal, stating her husband was 'out for maybe two or three minutes' before she and another passenger managed to pull him back into the aircraft.
Tracking data for the flight revealed that the plane had been airborne for approximately ten minutes when it experienced an abrupt descent of 9,000ft (2,700m). Passengers onboard reported hearing 'some kind of explosion' prior to the rapid loss of altitude, adding to the distress of those on board.
Ryanair confirmed the incident in a statement, explaining that the Friday morning flight returned to Thessaloniki 'shortly after take-off when a passenger window dislodged in flight'. The airline did not provide further details regarding the cause of the window dislodgement.
Following the emergency landing, a 61-year-old Serbian national, believed to be the man involved in the incident, received treatment at a Greek hospital for friction burns. The severity of his injuries beyond the burns has not been disclosed, nor has the condition of any other passengers or crew.
This unusual and alarming event will undoubtedly prompt a thorough investigation into the structural integrity of the aircraft and the procedures surrounding passenger safety. Such incidents, while rare, highlight the critical importance of regular maintenance checks and adherence to stringent safety protocols in air travel.