A terrifying mid-air incident occurred on a Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, when a passenger was almost sucked out of a shattered cabin window. Ljubisa Karović, 61, was reportedly pulled back inside by his wife and two other passengers.

Svetlana Grković, his wife, told Greek broadcaster ERT that “half of his body was sticking out of the plane” and that she grabbed his legs, thinking, “If we die, we die together.” Karović lost consciousness three times during the ordeal.

The incident happened about 10 minutes after takeoff, when the aircraft suddenly dropped 9,000 feet (2,700 meters). Passengers reported hearing an explosion-like sound, and oxygen masks deployed. Some believed part of the engine had broken off, shattering the window.

Grković said her husband is “seriously injured and in shock,” with a badly injured hand and burns. He cannot communicate and does not remember the event. She also said she is in a “very bad psychological state.”

Ryanair confirmed the incident, stating the aircraft returned to Thessaloniki and one passenger received medical assistance. The Hellenic Air and Rail Safety Investigation Authority is leading the investigation, with assistance from Boeing, the US FAA, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

The 18-year-old Boeing 737-800 was operated by Ryanair subsidiary Malta Air. Investigators are examining whether a failure in the right engine caused debris to strike the window.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk