‘If we die, we die together’: Wife recalls horror as husband was nearly sucked out of Ryanair plane mid-flight
Ryanair plane made emergency landing in Greece after terrifying mid-air window failure. Image Credit: The News International
A terrifying mid-air incident aboard a Ryanair flight has captured global attention after a passenger was nearly sucked out of the aircraft when a cabin window shattered shortly after takeoff.
The dramatic event occurred on Friday on a Malta Air-operated Ryanair flight travelling from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany. According to passengers and aviation officials, the aircraft experienced rapid decompression after part of a window became dislodged, causing panic inside the cabin.
At the centre of the ordeal is 61-year-old Serbian passenger Ljubisa Karović, whose wife, Svetlana Grković, has now spoken publicly about the horrifying moments she spent holding onto her husband as part of his body was pulled outside the aircraft.
Wife Reveals Terrifying Moments During Mid-Air Emergency
Speaking to Serbian media outlets and the BBC, Grković recalled the terrifying scene that unfolded only minutes after takeoff.
She said she immediately grabbed her husband’s legs after seeing him being pulled toward the shattered window.
“I thought, ‘If we die, we die together,'” she said.
According to her account, Karović’s head, shoulder and upper torso were outside the aircraft for nearly two minutes while fellow passengers rushed to help.
With assistance from two other passengers, Grković managed to pull him back into the cabin.
She described seeing severe injuries, saying his face appeared badly deformed and blood was coming from his nose and mouth.
Passengers Thought the Plane Was Going to Crash
Several passengers described scenes of chaos inside the aircraft.
Videos and images shared online showed oxygen masks dropping from the ceiling as the cabin rapidly lost pressure.
One passenger told local radio that many believed the aircraft was about to crash.
“The decompression was extreme. It felt like we couldn’t breathe,” another passenger reportedly said.
Witnesses described hearing what sounded like an explosion moments before the incident occurred.
Flight tracking data indicates the aircraft suddenly descended approximately 9,000 feet (2,700 metres) around ten minutes after departure before returning safely to Thessaloniki Airport.
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What Caused the Ryanair Plane Incident?
The exact cause of the incident remains under investigation.
A technical adviser hired by the family reportedly believes that a failure involving the aircraft’s right engine may have sent debris into the cabin window, causing it to shatter.
However, investigators have not confirmed this theory.
Ryanair said in a statement that the flight returned shortly after takeoff when a passenger window “dislodged in flight.”
The airline added that the aircraft landed safely and passengers were later transported to Germany on a replacement aircraft.
International Aviation Authorities Launch Investigation
The aircraft involved is believed to be an 18-year-old Boeing 737-800 operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary.
Given that the aircraft is American-built and the incident reportedly occurred in North Macedonian airspace, multiple international agencies are assisting with the investigation.
Authorities involved include:
- The Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority
- The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
- Representatives from Boeing
Investigators are expected to examine maintenance records, cockpit data, and physical damage to determine the sequence of events.
Husband Remains Hospitalised
Karović remains in hospital in Greece and is said to be suffering from serious physical injuries and psychological trauma.
According to his wife, he cannot fully remember what happened and reportedly becomes distressed whenever aircraft are mentioned.
Grković also admitted she is struggling emotionally following the incident.
“I feared for our lives,” she said, adding that she is uncertain whether either of them will ever fly again.
The dramatic rescue and emotional testimony have sparked widespread discussion about airline safety and emergency procedures during rapid decompression events.
FAQ
What happened on the Ryanair flight?
A Ryanair flight travelling from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, suffered a cabin decompression after a passenger window became dislodged during flight, nearly pulling a passenger out of the aircraft.
Was someone sucked out of the Ryanair plane?
No passenger was completely ejected from the aircraft. However, Ljubisa Karović was reportedly partially pulled outside the plane up to his chest before passengers managed to pull him back inside.
Who saved the passenger?
His wife, Svetlana Grković, immediately grabbed his legs and, together with two other passengers, pulled him back into the aircraft cabin.
What caused the Ryanair window to break?
The exact cause is still under investigation. Some reports suggest debris from an engine issue may have struck the window, but investigators have not officially confirmed this.
Did the plane crash?
No. Despite the emergency, the aircraft safely returned to Thessaloniki Airport and landed normally.
Was anyone injured?
Yes. The passenger involved suffered serious injuries, including burns and trauma, and remains hospitalised.
What type of aircraft was involved?
The aircraft is believed to have been a Boeing 737-800 operated by Malta Air, a Ryanair subsidiary.
Are aviation authorities investigating?
Yes. Several international authorities, including Greek investigators, the FAA, EASA and Boeing representatives, are participating in the investigation.
Is Ryanair safe to fly after this incident?
Ryanair remains one of Europe’s largest airlines and continues to operate normally. Aviation experts note that serious cabin decompression incidents are rare, though investigations will determine whether additional safety measures are needed.
What is cabin decompression?
Cabin decompression occurs when the pressurised air inside an aircraft rapidly escapes, causing oxygen levels to drop and requiring emergency procedures such as oxygen masks deployment.
Could passengers survive being partially sucked out of an aircraft?
Survival depends on several factors, including altitude, duration of exposure and injuries sustained. Immediate action by nearby passengers and crew can significantly improve outcomes, as demonstrated in this incident.
Will the affected couple fly again?
According to Svetlana Grković, both she and her husband are deeply traumatised, and it remains uncertain whether they will travel by air again.