Passenger's Narrow Escape on Ryanair Flight
A Ryanair flight experienced a terrifying incident when a passenger, Ljubisa Karović, was nearly pulled out of the aircraft mid-flight. His wife, Svetlana Grković Maksimović, recounted the dramatic events that unfolded as they traveled from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany.
According to Maksimović, her husband was partially ejected from the plane after a window shattered. She described the moment to BBC Serbia, saying, "His right shoulder and head were outside the plane," and emphasized the collective effort of fellow passengers in pulling him back inside.
Immediate Reactions and the Aftermath
Speaking to Serbian media, Maksimović expressed her determination during the crisis: "I immediately reacted and grabbed his legs," she said. "I thought: 'If we die, we die together.'"
The incident, as reported by Greek broadcaster ERT, occurred when a piece of the plane's engine allegedly broke off, causing the window breakage and subsequent cabin decompression. Passengers also reported hearing sounds similar to an explosion.
A technical consultant for the family suggested the problem originated with a failure in the aircraft's right engine, leading to debris striking the cabin window. However, this explanation has not been officially confirmed.
Injuries and Ongoing Trauma
Ljubisa Karović, who had been wearing his seatbelt, suffered significant injuries and shock. Maksimović detailed his condition: "It's important to me that he's alive... his hand is particularly badly injured, and he's got burns. He's not able to communicate, he doesn't remember the whole event."
She further explained to ERT that he reacts strongly at the mention of airplanes, adding, "I am also in a very bad psychological state... I feared for our lives. I was afraid the plane was going to crash."
Maksimović continues to struggle with the psychological impact, stating, "I am constantly doing something to take my mind off what happened, but those images just won't leave."
Flight and Investigation Details
Flight data indicated that the Ryanair aircraft had been airborne for approximately 10 minutes before it rapidly descended by 9,000 feet. The airline confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that the flight returned to Thessaloniki shortly after take-off due to a dislodged window. Passengers were safely returned to the terminal, and one individual received medical assistance.
Passenger accounts described the chaotic scene. Christina, a fellow traveler, told Radio Thessaloniki, "We immediately realized there had been a decompression. There were screams... for a moment I thought someone had accidentally opened the emergency door." Another passenger, Sofia, recounted, "We thought the plane was going down. The decompression was extreme. It felt like we couldn't breathe."
The Boeing 737-800 involved is operated by Ryanair's subsidiary Malta Air. Fraport Greece, the operator of Thessaloniki airport, stated that the Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority is leading the investigation, with assistance from international aviation bodies such as Boeing, the US Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Karović remains hospitalized as the investigation into the cause of the incident continues.
Source: Original Article
