Preliminary investigators say debris from a failed engine fan blade shattered a window on a Ryanair flight in July, causing a passenger to be partly pulled out of the aircraft. The incident highlights the potential consequences of engine failures and cabin depressurisation, although the plane returned safely and no fatal injuries were reported.

The Boeing 737-800, operated by Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air, was flying from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, on 10 July with 149 passengers and four cabin crew. The NTSB said the right engine’s fan blade failed during climb, after which pilots reported severe vibration, a loud bang and an emergency descent; the passenger in seat 11F was pulled towards the shattered window but restrained by his seatbelt and fellow passengers. Investigators also noted four reported bird strikes involving the same engine in the preceding 12 months, while recent ultrasonic blade inspections had found no faults.