A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board determined that a broken engine fan blade caused the mid-flight incident aboard Ryanair flight FR1879 on 10 July. The aircraft was traveling from Thessaloniki, Greece to Memmingen, Germany when the No. 2 engine experienced a fan-blade-out failure during the initial climb phase. The resulting debris struck and shattered a cabin window, causing rapid depressurization of the aircraft.
Serbian entrepreneur Ljubisa Karović, seated in window seat 11F, was pulled partially out of the broken window during the incident. Other passengers on the aircraft grabbed him and prevented him from being completely ejected. The flight crew declared an emergency, donned oxygen masks, and returned safely to Thessaloniki airport. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft carried 149 passengers and four flight attendants at the time of the incident.
Investigators found that the plane’s right engine had experienced four bird strikes in the 12 months preceding the incident, with bird remains discovered in two cases. Recent ultrasonic inspections of the fan blades had revealed no issues. Prior maintenance records indicate the aircraft was being serviced in accordance with established schedules, though experts note that questions remain about the thoroughness of previous inspections and whether the documented bird strikes contributed to underlying damage.
The FAA issued directives in 2025 requiring engine cover strengthening modifications on Boeing 737 aircraft following previous fan blade failures. Airlines were given until July 2028 to complete these changes. The Ryanair aircraft had not yet undergone the required modifications at the time of the incident. Industry experts suggest this accident may prompt regulators to reconsider the implementation timeline for those safety measures.
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