A severe incident occurred aboard a Ryanair subsidiary flight when a passenger window dislodged during takeoff, resulting in a dramatic emergency situation. The aircraft, operated by Malta Air, was traveling from Thessaloniki in Greece to Memmingen in Germany when an engine failure caused parts to strike and shatter the acrylic window. The sudden decompression led to rapid cabin depressurization and the deployment of oxygen masks throughout the aircraft.
Ljubisa Karović, a 61-year-old passenger, was partially ejected from the aircraft during the incident. According to his wife, Svetlana Grković, approximately half of her husband’s body was pulled outside the plane through the damaged window opening. Acting quickly, Grković grabbed his legs and, with assistance from two other passengers, managed to pull him back into the aircraft. Karović remained outside the fuselage for approximately two minutes while exposed to the slipstream. Passengers reported that Karović kept his seatbelt fastened, which helped others maintain their grip on him during the rescue effort.
The flight experienced a sudden altitude loss of approximately 9,000 feet following the incident. Multiple passengers fled their seats to other sections of the aircraft as the cabin depressurized. Witnesses described extreme decompression and difficulty breathing, with some believing the aircraft was in critical danger. The crew made the decision to return to Thessaloniki shortly after takeoff, and the aircraft landed normally with all passengers returning to the terminal.
Karović sustained serious injuries including significant hand damage and burns, and remained hospitalized in Greece following the incident. He lost consciousness multiple times during and after the event and was unable to recall details of what occurred. Grković publicly expressed gratitude toward unknown passengers, particularly one man she believed to be Albanian, who assisted in the rescue effort. Ryanair arranged alternative transportation for remaining passengers, who completed their journey to Memmingen later that day. Greek aviation authorities opened an investigation into the incident.
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